EPISODE · Apr 21, 2026 · 53 MIN
S4; EP. 2 -- Jonathan Tolins & Remy Germinario: Buyer & Cellar
from Dear Multi-hyphenate · host Michael Kushner
Host Michael Kushner sits down with playwright and showrunner Jonathan Tolins and actor Remy Germinario to explore life as a multi‑hyphenate in the arts — writing, producing, directing, and performing. They discuss Tolins’ hit one‑person play Buyer & Cellar, its Barbara Streisand inspirations, and how saying “yes” to opportunities shapes a creative career. Listeners will hear practical advice on writing and producing, the differences between creating in the theater and television, how personal truth fuels work, and the enduring power of niche audiences and sharp references. Buyer & Cellar one of the 10 most produced plays in America in 2016, “Buyer & Cellar,” which won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Show and was named “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” by the Off-Broadway Alliance during its record-breaking run at the Barrow Street Theatre. The show also enjoyed a London engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory, a run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and was shown on the WNET series “Theater Close-Up.” "How do we spend our time in a way that makes us feel like our life is worth living,” says Tolins on the themes of Buyer & Cellar, “And how much does that involve other people?" In this hilarious, fictionalized one-man show, Alex More has a story to tell. A struggling actor in L.A., he takes a job working in the Malibu basement of entertainment legend Barbra Streisand. One day, the Lady Herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs? Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs. The play is a tour de force for a comedic actor, guaranteed to delight any musical theatre lover. JONATHAN TOLINS is best known as the author of Buyer & Cellar, which won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Show and was named “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” by the Off-Broadway Alliance during its record-breaking run at the Barrow Street Theatre, before a national tour and being named one of the ten most produced plays in America in 2016. It also enjoyed a London engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory and was shown on the WNET series, Theater Close-Up. Other plays include The Twilight of the Golds (Broadway, Booth Theatre), If Memory Serves (Promenade), The Last Sunday in June (Rattlestick, Century Center), Secrets of the Trade (Primary Stages), and The Forgotten Woman (Bay Street Theater). A collection of his plays has been published by Grove/Atlantic. He was also represented on Broadway by additional material written with his husband, Robert Cary, for the revival of On the Town. His film work includes The Twilight of the Golds (based on his play) starring Brendan Fraser and Faye Dunaway, and Martian Child starring John Cusack and Amanda Peet, both co-written with Seth E. Bass. For television, he was a writer for Queer as Folk (Showtime, first season, co-producer), the 2000 and 2002 Academy Awards, the 2003 Tony Awards, Partners(CBS, consulting producer), BrainDead (CBS, consulting producer), five seasons of The Good Fight (Paramount+, executive producer), Schmigadoon (Apple TV+, co-executive producer), East New York (CBS, consulting producer), and is currently the showrunner of Elsbeth, recently renewed for a fourth season on CBS. In addition, he and Robert Cary wrote the script for Grease Live!, the Emmy award-winning live broadcast based on the classic musical, and A Christmas Story Live!, both for Fox TV. Cary and Tolins also wrote scripts for 50 Years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center, A Concert for Ukraine at Carnegie Hall, Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration at Carnegie Hall, starring Jessica Vosk, and the book for Take the Lead which premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2025. In addition, Jon was the author of Pushkin 200: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, acted as script consultant on Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular, and co-wrote The Divine Millennium Tour and The Showgirl Must Go On for Bette Midler. He has written articles for Opera News, Opera Monthly, TheaterWeek, Time Magazine, and The Huffington Post, and is a regular panelist on the Metropolitan Opera Radio Quiz. Jon lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with his husband and their children, Selina and Henry. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America. REMY GERMINARIO is so thrilled to be returning to Barbra’s basement for the 4th time, especially at Core Theatre Group as a part time resident of Greenwood Lake Remy is a NYC based actor, comedian, singer, writer and teaching artist. New York Theatre: Rough Trade (The Tank) birthday birthday birthday (The Tank) More Than All The World (Theatre For The New City), Boys Who Tricked Me (Musical Theatre Factory), Bradley Cole (FringeNYC Award Winner), When I Started Dating Men (Dixon Place), and The Vanity (Theatre Row). Regional: Buyer and Cellar (Florida Studio Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Cardinal Stage Company), Clue (Greenbrier Valley Theatre) America’s Sexiest Couple (Cape May Stage), Caveman Play (ArtHouse). Film/TV: The Feast of Stephen (dir James Franco), Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Synonymous With, An Actor Unprepared and Livin’ the Dream. Voiceover: Peter in the hit musical video game Peter Panic (Adult Swim Games), Radio Play Revival and The World To Come musical podcast (dir.Rachel Klein). Remy is also a sketch comedian (currently performing with his team ,Golden Hour, on Maude Night at UCB) and stand up comedian and can be seen at comedy clubs all over the city. He is also known on TikTok and Instagram for his impressions of Food Network Chefs and other viral comedic content! Remy is also a teaching artist at NYU/The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute! BFA NYU (CAP21/Strasberg Studios). Much love to Michael (who always knows what to do on Sundays), Sandwich, Mom, Dad, Chuck, Paul and the entire Warwick Valley community who has come out to support this show and this thriving new regional theatre! @RemyGerminario. www.remygerminario.com Visit www.coretheatregroup.com for ticket information.
What this episode covers
Host Michael Kushner sits down with playwright and showrunner Jonathan Tolins and actor Remy Germinario to explore life as a multi‑hyphenate in the arts — writing, producing, directing, and performing. They discuss Tolins’ hit one‑person play Buyer & Cellar, its Barbara Streisand inspirations, and how saying “yes” to opportunities shapes a creative career. Listeners will hear practical advice on writing and producing, the differences between creating in the theater and television, how personal truth fuels work, and the enduring power of niche audiences and sharp references. Buyer & Cellar one of the 10 most produced plays in America in 2016, “Buyer & Cellar,” which won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Show and was named “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” by the Off-Broadway Alliance during its record-breaking run at the Barrow Street Theatre. The show also enjoyed a London engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory, a run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and was shown on the WNET series “Theater Close-Up.” "How do we spend our time in a way that makes us feel like our life is worth living,” says Tolins on the themes of Buyer & Cellar, “And how much does that involve other people?"In this hilarious, fictionalized one-man show, Alex More has a story to tell. A struggling actor in L.A., he takes a job working in the Malibu basement of entertainment legend Barbra Streisand. One day, the Lady Herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs? Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs. The play is a tour de force for a comedic actor, guaranteed to delight any musical theatre lover.JONATHAN TOLINS is best known as the author of Buyer & Cellar, which won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Show and was named “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” by the Off-Broadway Alliance during its record-breaking run at the Barrow Street Theatre, before a national tour and being named one of the ten most produced plays in America in 2016. It also enjoyed a London engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory and was shown on the WNET series, Theater Close-Up. Other plays include The Twilight of the Golds (Broadway, Booth Theatre), If Memory Serves (Promenade), The Last Sunday in June (Rattlestick, Century Center), Secrets of the Trade (Primary Stages), and The Forgotten Woman (Bay Street Theater). A collection of his plays has been published by Grove/Atlantic. He was also represented on Broadway by additional material written with his husband, Robert Cary, for the revival of On the Town. His film work includes The Twilight of the Golds (based on his play) starring Brendan Fraser and Faye Dunaway, and Martian Child starring John Cusack and Amanda Peet, both co-written with Seth E. Bass. For television, he was a writer for Queer as Folk (Showtime, first season, co-producer), the 2000 and 2002 Academy Awards, the 2003 Tony Awards, Partners(CBS, consulting producer), BrainDead (CBS, consulting producer), five seasons of The Good Fight (Paramount+, executive producer), Schmigadoon (Apple TV+, co-executive producer), East New York (CBS, consulting producer), and is currently the showrunner of Elsbeth, recently renewed for a fourth season on CBS. In addition, he and Robert Cary wrote the script for Grease Live!, the Emmy award-winning live broadcast based on the classic musical, and A Christmas Story Live!, both for Fox TV. Cary and Tolins also wrote scripts for 50 Years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center, A Concert for Ukraine at Carnegie Hall, Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration at Carnegie Hall, starring Jessica Vosk, and the book for Take the Lead which premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2025. In addition, Jon was the author of Pushkin 200: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, acted as script consultant on Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectac
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S4; EP. 2 -- Jonathan Tolins & Remy Germinario: Buyer & Cellar
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