I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi Cespedes

Two-time Grammy Award nominee Lisa Lampanelli was known for more than 30 years as “Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean.” A constant on the comedy scene, with countless tours, 13 NBC “Tonight Show” appearances, and sold-out performances at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall under her belt, she became well-known for her roasting skills, publicly lambasting everyone from David Hasselhoff to Flavor Flav to Pamela Anderson on Comedy Central. In 2016, Lisa decided to do something a little different. She wrote “Stuffed,” a four-person play about food and body-image issues, which enjoyed two off-Broadway runs! Her charitable efforts -- she raised $130,000 for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis during season 5 of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and won $50,000 for the same organization on Fox’s “Celebrity Weakest Link” – are among her proudest achievements. She is currently serving as Associate Producer of “The People Versus Lenny Bruce," which has begun performances Off Broadway at Theatre Row now until June 28th!

Stephen Kramer Glickman is most well known for the beloved role Gustavo Rocque on the hit Nickelodeon series which created the boy band of the same name, Big Time Rush, a band and TV show Elbi was absolutely obsessed with growing up! His theater history is also vast having originated the role of Shrek in the pre Broadway developmental workshops of the musical rendition for YEARS as well as helping develop the role of Frankenstein's Monster along with Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman for Young Frankenstein! His voice can be heard as Pigeon Toady alongside Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Aniston and Andy Sandberg in the animated film Storks! He also has a long time history as a stand up comedian having came up with Gilbert Godfrey and Dave Chapelle to name a few! Most recently, he reunited with the Big Time Rush guys to join them on their international tour, In Real Life where he toured multiple continents performing some of his hit renditions of songs like Crazy, Bad Guy and Pink Pony Club! We get to talking all about his theater history, his stand up career and of course all things Gutavo Rocque and BIG TIME RUSH!

Jeffrey Seller has impacted the theater industry forever. Best known as the lead producer of Hamilton, Rent, In The Heights, and Avenue Q (all of which won him the Tony Award for Best Musical), Jeffrey is the only person to have produced two Pulitzer Prize winning musicals. On top of this, Jeffrey alongside his former producing partner Kevin McCollum created the rush and lottery discount ticket options 30 years ago with Rent! He's now written a memoir titled Theatre Kid which is available on paperback beginning May 6th! In this very special episode, we get to talking about the state of the industry, the job of a producer and how it's evolved over the years and what shows he's interested in producing.

Carey Renee Sharpe is currently starring in the Off Broadway show which she also co-wrote, Blood/Love at Theater 555! A former nurse from Wisconsin, Carey decided to pivot her career after renovating a venue in her hometown. Alongside her writing partner Dru Decaro (Grammy nominated producer for Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Sabrina Carpenter and many more) the two have spent the last 6 years developing and writing the world premiere vampire pop opera Blood/Love which is open now to May 10th!

Claybourne Elder is a Broadway star whose work spans decades on stage and screen. His new album If The Stars Were Mine is streaming everywhere now and you could also look out for his solo shows where he performs songs from the album, sharing their relation to his journey to Broadway, his childhood, current fatherhood and beyond! He originated the role of Hollis in one of Stephen Sondheim's final musicals, Road Show. Aside from Road Show, his work on Sondheim projects includes the most recent Broadway revival of Company (Andy), Sunday in the Park with George, Passion, Sondheim on Sondheim at The Hollywood Bowl and more! He was also a part of the original cast of Bonnie and Clyde having seen it through from the very beginning. Most recently, you may have seen him as John Adams on all three seasons of The Gilded Age on HBO. We get to talking about his entire career, his relationship with Sondheim personally and professionally and why this new album is one of the most creatively fulfilling projects he's ever worked on.

Mark Evans is an actor whose stage work spans multiple continents having starred in multiple West End AND Broadway shows! His Broadway debut was The Play That Goes Wrong which he's now the Associate Director of Off Broadway at New World Stages. Some of his other Broadway credits, include Waitress, Mrs Doubtfire, and Tammy Faye! His West End credits include originating Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Sam in Ghost, Fiyero in Wicked, and swing in the Original London Cast of Spamalot amongst many more! He currently runs his own acting studio, Mark Evans Studio which holds weekly classes as well as workshops and masterclasses with industry professionals! We discuss the many differences between West End and Broadway, the biggest lessons in comedy from Jerry Zaks, and the key to The Play That Goes Wrong's success!

Simon Leary is a New Zealand based actor who's making in his NYC debut off Broadway in a new play titled Heartbreak Hotel at the DR2 Theatre running now until April 19th! Originally from Timaru, NZ, Simon has since moved to Wellington where he's performed in numerous productions at the Circa Theatre including The Glass Menagerie, A Servant to Two Masters and more! On top of all this, he's written and starred in many pantos which are family friendly productions based on fairytales that are especially prominent in the UK as well as New Zealand. We get to talking about all that, the time Sir Ian McKellen saw him perform, his time working as an Orc on The Hobbit: The Demolition of Smaug, and the biggest differences between New Zealand and New York theater! GO SEE HEARTBREAK HOTEL AT THE DR2 THEATRE NOW THRU APRIL 19!

Michael Sommers is a drama critic currently working for New York Stage Review. He served as the president of the New York Drama Critics Circle for two terms as well as freelanced for the The New York Times and Backstage to name a few. Michael was a longtime chief of The Star Ledger as well as the Newhouse News Service! We get to talking about the history of drama critics, whether or not being a critic still holds much weight in a time where influencers' opinions dominate, and what he's looking forward to this season.

Currently nominated for an Olivier Award for his work on Shucked in the West End, Robert Horn is a Tony Award winning Book Writer for his work on Tootsie alongside David Yazbek! Prior to working in theater, Robert had a successful career in TV/Film writing on Designing Women, Living Single and High Society to name a few. He’s penned some successful television movies for Disney Channel including the High School Musical spinoff Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, The Suite Life Movie and Teen Beach Movie! Robert began his career writing musicals by working alongside Jason Robert Brown on the musical 13 which starred Ariana Grande and subsequently wrote the film version that Netflix acquired in 2022. Since winning his Tony, Robert wrote the Tony Award nominated musical Shucked which is currently on tour and in the West End as well as the stage adaptation of Hercules currently running in Germany and the West End! He’s got many new projects in development and gets to discussing the keys to comedy as well as what makes a successful book for a musical!

IN HONOR OF OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WE'RE RE-RELEASING EPISODES ALL WEEK! RE-RELEASE FROM JUNE 2025!Currently starring in Schmigadoon on Broadway, Brad Oscar has received 2 Tony Award nominations for starring in the original companies of The Producers and Something Rotten as Franz Liebkind and Nostradamus respectively.He just wrapped up 8 shows a week in Wicked on Broadway as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz! He’s also originated the casts of Jekyll & Hyde and Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway! Most recently, Brad played Mayor Menlove in the stage production (as well as multiple readings) of Schmigadoon! based on the TV show at the Kennedy Center this past spring eyeing a Broadway transfer. We get to chatting about it all!

IN HONOR OF OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WE'RE RE-RELEASING EPISODES ALL WEEK! RE-RELEASE FROM NOVEMBER 2025!Currently starring in Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway alongside Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bacharach, Michael Kostroff is an actor with over 100 TV/Film credits! He’s best known for his role as the defense attorney Maurice Levy on The Wire as well as the executive producer Marshall Pike on Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance! Upcoming, he’ll be starring in the new live action Marvel/Sony series Spider-Noir premiering May 27th based on the hit Spider Verse films alongside Nicolas Cage on MGM+. His most prominent theater credits include Thenardier on the national tour of Les Miserables as well as Max Bialystock (u/s) on The Producers National Tour! He’s also an author of the book The Stage Actor’s Handbook! We get to chatting about the most helpful audition advice (as he served as an acting/audition coach for many years) plus the biggest nuanced differences between stage and screen acting!

IN HONOR OF OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WE'RE RE-RELEASING EPISODES ALL WEEK! RE-RELEASE FROM MAY 2025!Currently starring as The Dentist in Off Broadway's hit Little Shop of Horrors, Andy Karl is an Olivier Award winning and 3 time Tony Award nominated actor whose career spans widely amongst screen and stage. He's most well known for his Olivier Award winning performance as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day the Musical which he performed on Broadway (Tony Award nomination), London's West End and most recently in Australia. He's originated musicals including Rocky the Musical (where he played the titular role and received a Tony Award nomination), Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde and many more! He had a significant recurring role in Law and Order: SVU where he played Sargeant Mike Dodds throughout Season 17. Currently, he stars on stage as The Duke of Monroth in Moulin Rouge on Broadway! Most importantly however he was been Elbi's I Wanna Be Like You since he was a kid, someone he's looked up to since he was a child. A true joy and honor it is to be chatting today with ANDY KARL!

Thank you for watching and listening to I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi Cespedes for one whole year! Here's to many more!

Rob Rokicki is best known for composing and writing the lyrics for the cult musical The Lightning Thief based on the hit book series Percy Jackson & The Olympians! The musical has gone on to be performed all over the world and we get to talking all about the new Original London Cast Recording whcih Rob also co-orchestrated and is OUT NOW! What started as just a Theater For Young Audiences production became a full length musical that ran on Broadway, the West End is currently touring the UK! Aside from this, Rob currently works at MTI Theatricals helping develop the Junior versions of their shows!

Janine LaManna is a Broadway star who's most well known for originating the role of Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical! Her other Broadway credits include Evelyn Nesbitt in the original production of Ragtime, Kiss Me Kate, The Drowsy Chaperone and more! She also starred in PBS' version of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego as Carmen Sandiego! She also performed multiple times at the White House during the Bush administration! She joins us to discuss her career, what Broadway was like post 9/11 and how the role of Gertrude is one she'll cherish forever.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger is a Broadway veteran most well known as the original Crutchie in Newsies on Broadway! He's also an author with his new debut solo YA novel Limelight OUT NOW! He also starred and created the webseries Submissions Only which lasted 3 seasons on YouTube! Some of his other Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and Tuck Everlasting! We get to talking about his time originating Jojo in Seussical out of town in Boston, his Newsies journey and co-writing his first couple of novels, the Jack & Louisa series!

Adam Gwon is an award winning composer and lyricist whose work has been performed on 6 continents! His musical Ordinary Days premiered Off Broadway in 2008 and has gone on to become a hit beyond its Off Broadway run in part thanks to its successful cast album! His songs Fine, I'll Be Here and Favorite Places from Ordinary Days have gone on to be performed at concerts and cabarets all over the world! He's here now to discuss the cast album for his latest musical All The World's A Stage which premiered last spring Off Broadway and is OUT NOW and features former guests Matt Rodin & Elizabeth Stanley! We get to talking about how he went from actor to writer, how Ahrens & Flaherty affected his career in a major way, his time as a Tony Award voter and much more!

Ross Meyerson is an Emmy Award winning casting director for his work on the hit drama Damages starring Glenn Close along with his former partner Julie Tucker. Currently, he’s casting the upcoming season of Dexter: Resurrection following the success of the first season last year! His roots however are in theater having been the Artistic Director of Millbrook Playhouse and various regional theaters across the country. Some of his most prominent casting credits include Nurse Jackie, Kevin Can Wait, Sneaky Pete and The Big C! If you’d like to take class with Ross, he currently teaches at One on One NYC!

George & Marty Lee Andrews are on the precipice of celebrating 50 years of marriage, having shared a life working in the theater. The two of them have been a part of some of the most legendary musicals of all time. George holds the Guinness World Record for the longest running actor in the same Broadway show having been in the original cast of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in 1988 and finishing his run in 2011! Prior to this, he originated the role of Frid in Stephen Sondheim & Hugh Wheeler’s classic musical A Little Night Music which Marty starred in its first national tour. The two of them directed the show in it’s premiere in South Africa and developed a strong relationship with its original director and Broadway legend, Hal Prince. Their career spans decades and have spread their welath of knowledge to generations younger than them with children and grandchildren also working in the theater. George & Marty tell us all about their careers, how they met, and their favorite Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim stories!

Joe Iconis is a Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated composer and lyricist for writing Be More Chill. Aside from Be More Chill, he’s written plenty of musicals that have premiered Off Broadway and regionally including Broadway Bounty Hunter, The Black Suits, and most recently The Untitled Hunter S Thompson Musical (which premiered last year at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia) and many more! He also contributed songs to the second season of the NBC TV series SMASH including Broadway, Here I Come and The Goodbye Song sung by Jeremy Jordan, Katherine McPhee and Krysta Rodriguez. In 2022, he released an album of story oriented songs titled Album which featured theater icons such as Danny Burstein, Lin Manuel Miranda, Aaron Tveit and many more. We get to talking about his entire career and what he has coming up next!

Tim Weil is most notably known as the original Music Director and Supervisor for the Tony Award winning hit musical Rent! Having been there from its original workshop to Broadway, national tours and beyond, Tim has now written a book: Making Rent: The Story Behind The Music That Changed Broadway. The book chronicles his experience with the show, Jonathan Larson and discusses the inner workings of how this little engine that could became one of the most revolutionary musicals in history! Aside from Rent, some of Tim’s Broadway credits include Shrek the Musical (Music Director), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (for which he served as the Music Director and provided some original composition) and Oh Calcutta! He also happens to be the husband to a former guest of ours Randy Graff!

Stephen Cole is prolific author and musical theater lyricist who’s written multiple books and musicals premiering Off Broadway, regionally and around the world! Notably, he was the author for memoirs and biographies for Charles Strouse, Marni Nixon, and Noel Coward! Some of his most popular musicals include After The Fair, the musical adaptation of the classic film The Night of the Hunter and The Road to Qatar (which focused around writing the first ever musical written by Americans to premiere in the Middle East!). He also served as a writer for tributes for the Drama League where he met many Broadway legends including Chita Rivera who eventually starred in Casper, (an original musical where he served as the lyricist) a show focused around the Casper the Friendly Ghost! He’s now written a historical fiction novel inspired by his personal relationship with Ethel Merman in the later years of her life titled MARY & ETHEL and Mikey Who? which is out now!

AJ Shively is a Tony Award nominated actor with 3 Broadway shows to his name including the revival of La Cage Aux Folles (opposite Kelsey Grammar), Bright Star and Paradise Square (which earned him his Tony nomination)! Recently he starred as Robbie in Classic Stage Company’s production of A Man of No Importance, the one night only concert of Hello Dolly at Carnegie Hall and the Encores! production of Titanic at New York City Center! We get to talking about tips and tricks for those working on Broadway, the history of Stanislavsky’s acting methods and how his Irish heritage has informed his career!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Aaron Lazar! Aaron Lazar is a Grammy award nominated Broadway superstar having starred in The Last Ship (with music and lyrics by Sting), A Light in the Piazza, A Little Night Music and Les Miserables, to name a few! Some of his on screen credits include The Wolf Of Wall Street, Everything Everywhere All At Once and Girl Meets World! After receiving an ALS diagnosis a few years ago, Aaron released an album titled The Impossible Dream in 2024 which also featured Josh Groban, Sting, Lin Manuel Miranda, Kristin Chenowith, Brian Stokes Mitchell and MANY MANY more which earned him his Grammy Award nomination! The album’s proceeds benefit the ALS Network and was the start of a mission Aaron has since surrounded his life around, the “impossible dream” to heal himself from ALS. He’s gone on to start a podcast of his own (Impossible Dreams podcast) with guests like Ben Stiller, Mark Cuban and Andrew Rannells to name a few and has been on a journey to help people heal themselves.

Today, I Wanna Be Like Jerry Zaks! FOURTH DREAM GUEST MANIFESTED BY JESS LEPROTTO! Jerry Zaks is a legendary director with credits in theater, film and television. He's received 4 Tony Awards for his direction on The House of Blue Leaves (starring the Broadway debut of Ben Stiller!), Lend Me A Tenor, Six Degrees of Separation and the iconic production of Guys and Dolls starring Peter Gallagher, Nathan Lane and JK Simmons. On screen, he directed the film Marvin's Room (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep, Gwen Verdon and Diane Keaton), as well as episodes of Frasier, Two and a Half Men and Everybody Loves Raymond! Most recently, he's behind some of the biggest Broadway shows of the last decade such as The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster, Hello Dolly starring Bette Midler and A Bronx Tale: The Musical (co-directed with Robert DeNiro). We get to talking about all of that as well as what makes a strong director and what he looks for from actors who enter the audition room with him.

Today, I Wanna Be Like Rob W Schneider! Rob W Schneider is a director with numerous regional theater and Off Broadway credits. Most recently, he became an author having written his first book: Queer Musicals: Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill which is a part of the Essential Musicals series. The book covers 10 musicals all rooted in queer history. We get to talking about each one of them. Rob’s also the Artistic Director of J2 Spotlight Musical Theater which has committed to revive musicals that didn’t get their due when they were previously on Broadway while also showcasing emerging AEA artists. He discusses the 2026 season to us as well as the upcoming production of Frozen he’s directing at A.C.T. plus the time Hal Prince shared with him what makes a strong director.

Today, I Wanna Be Like Mary Testa! THIRD DREAM GUEST UNLOCKED MANIFESTED BY THERESA MCCARTHY!Mary Testa is a Tony nominated actress whose work spans decades. She’s originated musicals on and off Nroadway such as Lucky Stiff, A New Brain, Xanadu, Barnum and The Rink. Most recently, she was seen on the Broadway stage in 2019 as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma (which earned her a Tony Award nomination) as well as off Broadway in The Gardens of Anuncia. Her relationship with Michael John LaChuisa and William Finn has become a huge part of her career originating shows like In Trousers, Marie: Christine, First Daughter’s Suite and The Queen of the Mist! She also starred in The Rink where she understudied Angel, the role originated by Liza Minnelli. We get to talking to her about it all as well the 3 new musicals she’s a part of that are now in development!I WANNA BE LIKE MARY TESTA CHAPTERS 1. 00:00 Surprise Flashback Intro!2. 03:55 Mary’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 9:00 Theater Beginnings4. 11:57 Getting An Agent & Equity Card5. 19:05 William Finn & In Trousers6. 21:45 Barnum7. 24:35 Going On For Liza Minnelli in The Rink/Understudies 8. 36:57 Having Confidence in Yourself9. 43:30 Kander & Ebb10. 47:00 A Funny Thing That Happened On The Way To The Forum11. 55:35 On The Town12. 1:00:52 Michael John LaChuisa & Marie: Christine13. 1:08:00 Reviews and Social Media Press 14. 1:14:55 Chicago!15. 1:17:55 See What I Wanna See16. 1:20:35 Xanadu & Guys & Dolls17. 1:24:36 Queen of the Mist 18. 1:33:00 Art vs Commerce19. 1:35:00 First Daughters Suite20. 1:40:00 Oklahoma!21. 1:57:57 Mary’s Voice!22. 2:02:51 Mary’s Musical Pitch to LaChuisa 23. 2:13:25 Dream Guest Manifestation!24. 2:16:12 Name That Song25. 2:19:55 State of the Industry26. 2:22:30 Mary Testa’s I Wanna Be Like You!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Jeb Brown! Jeb Brown is a Tony Award Nominated actor with 10 Broadway shows under his belt. Currently he’s starring as the title role in Beau the Musical Off Broadway at the Distillery at St Luke’s Theatre. Some of his Broadway credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Elizabeth Ashley (at just 10 years old!), Bring Back Birdie (the sequel to Bye Bye Birdie) alongside Chita Rivera, Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark and Dead Outlaw (for which he received a Tony Award Nomination for playing the band leader). We get to talking about it all plus his history with the guitar, where he teaches us a little bit himself. GO SEE BEAU AT THE ST LUKES THEATER NOW THROUGH JANUARY 4TH!!! I WANNA BE LIKE JEN BROWN CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Guitar Playing Intro2. 04:51 Dead From Dead Outlaw is a BANGER!3. 07:26 Jeb’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid4. 11:09 Broadway Debut: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!5. 20:25 Bring Back Birdie: Bye Bye Birdie Sequel!6. 40:25: Guitar Playing In Theater7. 45:15 Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark!8. 53:47 Dead Outlaw!9. 1:02:47 Beau the Musical!10. 1:16:00 Guitar Lesson With Jeb Brown!11. 1:24:40 Jeb Brown’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Stan Zimmerman! Stan Zimmerman is WGA nominated screenwriter who’s written on The Golden Girls, Roseanne and Gilmore Girls to name a few. His new book The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is out now! We get to talking all about his time writing pilots, spec scripts and seasons of beloved sitcom television as well as A Very Brady Movie and even some of his work in the theater!I WANNA BE LIKE STAN ZIMMERMAN CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Speed Talking Intro2. 04:33 Stan’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid/TV + Theater Beginnings3. 19:50 TV Movie Musicals4. 27:07 College Experience5. 33:50 Transitioning To Writing6. 45:20 Writing Spec Scripts and Pilots7. 54:50 The Golden Girls!!!!8. 1:27:24 Roseanne!9. 1:49:17 Gilmore Girls!10. 2:04:47 Roseanne Reboot + The Conners 11. 2:08:20 Golden Or Gilmore Girls?!12. 2:10:00 Dream Guest Manifestation + Stan’s I Wanna Be Like You

Today, I Wanna Be Like Michael Kostroff! Michael Kostroff is an actor with over 100 TV/Film credits! He’s most known for his role as the defense attorney Maurice Levy on The Wire as well as the executive producer Marshall Pike on Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance! Upcoming, he’ll be starring in the new live action Marvel/Sony series Spider-Noir based on the hit Spider Verse films alongside Nicolas Cage on MGM+. His most prominent theater credits include Thenardier on the national tour of Les Miserables as well as Max Bialystock (u/s) on The Producers National Tour! He’s also an author of the book The Stage Actor’s Handbook! We get to chatting about the most helpful audition advice (as he served as an acting/audition coach for many years) plus the biggest nuanced differences between stage and screen acting!I WANNA BE LIKE MICHAEL KOSTROFF REELS 1. 00:00 Sonny with a Chance Intro 2. 05:10 Auditions & Michael’s I Wanna Be Like You!3. 13:25 Deciding To Become An Actor4. 26:05 The Wire!5. 35:50 Working on TV/Film Sets6. 51:00 Malcolm in the Middle7. 53:00 Thenardier In Les Mis8. 57:50 Sonny with a Chance9. 1:04:05 The State of The Journeyman Actor10. 1:09:24 TV/Film vs Theater11. 1:18:10 Spider Noir!12. 1:25:25 Co Star Roles13. 1:32:25 Self Tapes14. 1:37:50 AI Wanna Be Like You!15. 1:42:30 Michael’s I Wanna Be Like You!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Merri Sugarman! Merri Sugarman is a Casting Director for The TRC Company whose work spans decades of Broadway and on screen work. Prior to casting, Merri was an actor having been in the national tour of Les Miserables (which she now casts) and Aspects of Love. She then went on to cast for the screen on shows like Freaks & Geeks, The Larry Sanders Show as well as Spin City! Now she casts for numerous shows on and off Broadway and across the country most recently including The Who’s Tommy, Here Lies Love, and Company! We get to talking to her about her career(s) as well as answer your burning casting questions!I WANNA BE LIKE MERRI SUGARMAN CHAPTERS 1. 00:00 Casting Book Intro2. 04:34 Merri’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 09:40 College Experience4. 12:02 Post College Actor Life5. 17:00 Les Miserables National Tour Audition6. 24:15 Casting Les Mis 7. 35:00 Aspects Of Love8. 38:30 LA: Dreamworks, The Larry Sanders Show, Freaks & Geeks9. 55:25 Working For Tara Rubin Casting10. 59:00 Is It Harder Now For Actors?11. 1:02:52 Social Media12. 1:04:15 Do Not Sing List13. 1:09:25 From Craft To Career Book!14. 1:10:45 Merri’s I Wanna Be Like You!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Douglas Lyons! SECOND DREAM GUEST UNLOCKED manifested by Patrick Dunn! Douglas Lyons is a multi-hyphenate artist having acted in multiple Broadway shows (Beautiful: the Carole King Musical, The Book of Mormon) and written plays on and off Broadway (Chicken and Biscuits, Table 17) as well as television (Fraggle Rock on Apple TV). NOW, his new musical Beau has been the talk of the town having done an Off Broadway run with Out of the Box Theatrics this past spring and is now downtown at the St Luke's Theatre running NOW to January 4th! I WANNA BE LIKE DOUGLAS LYONS!1. 00:00 Beau Intro 2. 05:50 Douglas’ I Wanna Be Like You3. 10:00 Theater Beginnings4. 15:30 The Spark Of Writing5. 19:08 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical6. 26:37 The Origins of Concepts/Ideas7. 31:50 Fraggle Rock8. 37:45 Getting Commissioned At Theater Companies9. 42:00 Working in a Writers Room 10. 43:43 Chicken & Biscuits11. 50:00 Afterlife of Shows12. 51:17 Beau The Musical13. 1:00:30 Collaborations14. 1:09:06 Reviews and Style15. 1:19:45 State of the Industry16. 1:25:30 Dream Guest Manifestation From A Dream Guest17. 1:26:42 Douglas’ I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like Tyler Hardwick! Tyler Hardwick is currently starring in Tartuffe alongside Andre DeShields at the House of the Redeemer! His Broadway credits include Motown and Once On This Island, both of which he also took on national tours! Next up, he's going to play Cornelius in OFC Creations Theater's production of Hello Dolly alongside Elaine Hendrix as Dolly Levi as well as the upcoming film Six Till Midnight and a new single to be released soon! We also get to talking about him starring in the first production of Dreamgirls with an African American cast in Seoul, South Korea as well as him recently starring in the national tour of Company as PJ. Make sure you catch Tartuffe at the House of the Redeemer which closes November 23rd so get your tickets now!I WANNA BE LIKE TYLER HARDWICK CHAPTERS!1. 00:00 Moliere Intro2. 04:35 Tyler’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 08:00 Theater Beginnings4. 15:00 College Experience5. 19:00 Motown (Promotional Tour, Broadway, National Tour)6. 35:00 Dreamgirls in South Korea7. 45:00 Once On This Island On Broadway + National Tour8. 54:53 Marie Dancing Still (Ahrens & Flaherty New Musical)9. 1:07:30 Good Morning America10. 1:15:55 Tartuffe at the House of the Redeemer11. 1:29:44 Company National Tour (Another Hundred People)12. 1:37:05 Hello Dolly with Elaine Hendrix13. 1:42:31 AI Wanna Be Like You!14. 1:46:25 Dream Guest Manifestation15. 1:47:47 Tyler’s I Wanna Be Like You!

Today I Wanna Be Like Richard Ridge! FIRST EVER DREAM GUEST UNLOCKED manifested by Matt Rodin! Richard Ridge has been the host of BroadwayWorld for over 2 decades. His name and face have become synonymous with Broadway red carpets and rehearsal rooms, having interviewed everyone from Chita Rivera (an inspiration to him throughout his life) to Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. From an early age working as a server at the classic Broadway eatery Ted Hook’s Backstage, Richard made impressions on some of the biggest stars including Cher, Karen Black and Elizabeth Taylor. He finally made his Broadway debut in 2018 as himself in The Prom! We get to chat with him about where it all began, his favorite red carpet interviews, the future of Broadway and more!I WANNA BE LIKE RICHARD RIDGE CHAPTERS 1. 00:00 FIRST DREAM GUEST INTRO2. 03:15 Richard’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 07:49 Meeting Chita Rivera/Ted Hook’s Backstage4. 16:20 Interviewing Cher/Working Movie Press Junkets 5. 22:55 John Kander & Fred Ebb6. 31:20 First Broadway Show/ Theater Beginnings 7. 34:15 Getting The Broadway World Job8. 43:30 Advice For Interviewers 9. 48:55 Being Late For Shows10. 55:15 Follies Original Broadway Cast!11. 1:00:10 Research Prior to Interview12. 1:03:10 State of the Industry13. 1:09:23 Broadway Debut in The Prom?!?!14. 1:14:35 Upcoming Shows This Season15. 1:17:05 Handling The Red Carpet16. 1:24:55 Hal Prince, Merrily, and Chita Rivera/Liza Minnelli17. 1:31:10 Broadway Mount Rushmore18. 1:35:45 Double Dream Guest Manifestation19. 1:37:20 Richard’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like Bradley Dean! Bradley Dean is a Broadway veteran crossing a dozen shows with the show he’s currently starring in, Chess alongside Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher! He also was a part of the original cast of the final musical written by the late Stephen Sondheim, Here We Are! This wasn’t the only Sondheim piece he starred in professionally, having done Company (2006, covering Raul Esparza) and A Little Night Music (2014, alongside Elaine Stritch, Bernadette Peters, Catherine Zeta Jones and Angela Lansbury) on Broadway! On top of this, he is also a vocal teacher with over 20 years of professional experience! We get to talking about his entire career including the one time he wrote, directed and starred in his own original musical, Sextet! Go see him as Molokov in Chess on Broadway at the Imperial Theater in previews now!I WANNA BE LIKE BRADLEY DEAN CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Chess Intro2. 04:20 Bradley’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 09:32 Stephen Sondheim4. 11:45 College Audition Experience5. 13:15 Theater Beginnings 6. 22:08 Broadway Debut: Jane Eyre7. 25:00 Swinging & Understudying 8. 27:15 Man of La Mancha9. 32:27 John Doyle’s Company10. 38:10 A Little Night Music with Elaine Stritch, Angela Lansbury11. 42:40 Evita 12. 50:25 The Last Ship with Sting13. 1:02:30 The Voice Follows14. 1:05:30 Writing, Directing, Performing15. 1:09:30 A New Brain & Little Miss Sunshine16. 1:14:42 Dear Evan Hansen17. 1:16:12 Hal Prince & Phantom of The Opera18. 1:20:55 The Fantasticks19. 1:22:47 Here We Are!20. 1:32:00 CHESS ON BROADWAY!21. 1:42:20 Name That Song!22. 1:46:00 Dream Guest Manifestation23. 1:46:58 Bradley’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like Elizabeth Stanley! Elizabeth Stanley is a Tony Award nominated Broadway star nominated for her portrayal of Mary Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill (2019). After making her Broadway debut in John Doyle’s revival of Company (April), Elizabeth starred in numerous cult classic Broadway musicals including Cry Baby and Million Dollar Quartet. Most recently, she’s led the Savion Glover, Tony Goldwyn directed Pal Joey at New York City Center (now known as Chez Joey) which is having a follow up production at Arena Stage next year. From legit soprano to Alanis Morissette hits, Elizabeth gets to talking to about her classic vocal training, how she approaches new material and more!I WANNA BE LIKE ELIZABETH STANLEY CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Tuba Intro 2. 04:23 Elizabeth’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 06:05 Theater Beginnings4. 12:00 Equity Card/Getting An Agent5. 15:38 Broadway Debut: John Doyle’s Company!6. 32:10 Cry Baby on Broadway!7. 39:45 Xanadu National Tour!8. 43:54 Million Dollar Quartet9. 47:27 On The Town on Broadway10. 53:35 The Bridges of Madison County National Tour11. 1:02:34 Jagged Little Pill12. 1:18:40 Pal Joey with Savion Glover!13. 1:28:45 Elizabeth’s I Wanna Be Like You!

Today I Wanna Be Like Matt Rodin! Matt Rodin is actor and host extraordinaire who is currently starring as Ace Baker in Beau the Musical at the Distillery at St Luke’s Theatre with previews beginning October 13! Prior to this, Matt played Jamie on the National Tour of the most recent revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company! You may also know him as the former face of Broadway.com where he produced and hosted shows including Red Carpet Challenge, Live at Five and Side by Side! Currently, he runs his own weekly newsletter titled The Fourth Wall, where he details the current theater events from a more personal lens as well as a website, buttsinseats.xyz sharing the weekly capacity statistics of Broadway each week. Having worked in all aspects of the industry, Matt shares his thoughts on all things state of the industry, the difference between press and marketing and why remaining optimistic is so important during an oftentimes tumultuous time in the entertainment industry.I WANNA BE LIKE MATT RODIN CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Challenge Intro 2. 05:51 Matt’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 08:35 Theater Kid Beginnings4. 18:45 Podcasts & Talk Show Interview Content5. 28:20 Theater Kids & Disney Adults6. 31:20 College Auditions & Showcase7. 46:20 Selling A Broadway Show8. 53:50 Auditioning For Company9. 57:42 Being Present and Embracing The Process10. 1:04:00 Working At Broadway.com11. 1:21:28 Being Patient12. 1:28:15 Red Carpet Challenge13. 1:46:50 Press Vs Marketing14. 2:05:15 Capacity & Butts In Seats15. 2:08:25 Is Theater Dying?/Finding Optimism16. 2:21:22 Beau the Musical!17. 2:31:20 AI Wanna Be Like You!18. 2:38:15 Dream Guest Manifestation19. 2:39:40 Matt’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like James T Lane! James T Lane is a triple threat Broadway performer currently starring in Chicago on Broadway! Previously this year, he was Louis Armstrong 2 nights a week at Studio 54 in A Wonderful World - The Louis Armstrong Musical alongside Tony Award Winner James Monroe Iglehart! In 2023, he starred and wrote in his own one man show titled Triple Threat Off Broadway which detailed his struggle with addiction while simultaneously performing on tour with Fame the Musical as Tyrone! Some of his Broadway credits include Scottsboro Boys (original cast), Kiss Me Kate (2019 revival, and his Broadway debut: Richie in the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line which he recently got to revisit this past summer at the 50th Anniversary of the show at the Shubert Theater! I WANNA BE LIKE JAMES T LANE CHAPTERS1. 00:00 A Chorus Line Intro2. 06:05 James’ I Wanna Be Like You As A Kid3. 08:30 Acting is A Career?!?!4. 11:10 Getting His First Agent5. 13:51 Fame the Musical Tour!6. 16:50 A Chorus Line Broadway Open Call!7. 21:30 Every Little Step Documentary8. 23:33 Dance History9. 26:55 Addiction & Recovery10. 39:25 Triple Threat: One Man Show11. 45:30 Feedback in 202512. 49:15 A Chorus Line 50th Anniversary!!13. 50:47 Scottsboro Boys14. 57:50 Wonderful World & Louis Armstrong15. 1:03:45 Chicago on Broadway NOW!16. 1:06:45 James’ I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Patrick Dunn! Patrick Dunn is currently making his Broadway debut in the hit musical Mamma Mia as one of the ensemble members and understudying Bill and Harry! Prior to this, he starred as Jean Valjean in Les Miserable on the national tour as well as covering the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera on tour and the original national tour of Waitress! He's also become incredibly well known as Elvis Presley, having won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in 2021 at Graceland and travels the world paying tribute to Elvis Presley performing the greatest hits and then some!

The Broadway Flea Market is a one of a kind charity event where Broadway fans can find the most niche Broadway treasures all while supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids! With former guests like Jerry Mitchell and Aidan McDermott plus potential upcoming guests like Kevin Del Aguila and Richard Ridge, we get to chatting with Broadway personalities and YOU GUYS! See how long fans waited in line for The Outsiders memorabilia and see them put to the test with a game of Finish The Lyric! This year's Broadway Flea was a success!BROADWAY FLEA CHAPTERS!​ 00:00 Intro ​ 02:30 The Return of Aidan McDermott​ 04:00 Just in Time Finish The Lyrics​ 05:30 Kevin Del Aguilla!​ 07:10 The Outsiders Finish The Lyrics​ 08:42 The Return of Jerry Mitchell!​ 09:53 Death Becomes Her Walk On Auction?!​ 11:20 Once on this Island Poster & The Outsiders Shoe​ 14:00 Richard Ridge from BroadwayWorld!​ 16:15 Thank You Broadway Flea 2025!

Today I Wanna Be like Jared Goldsmith! Jared Goldsmith is a content creator with collectively almost 1 MILLION followers on Instagram and TikTok! As a child actor, Jared had the chance to do guest spots on Blue’s Clues, Blue’s Room, The Ant Bully and Spider Man 3. A graduate from Elon University, Jared made his Broadway debut as Jared in Dear Evan Hansen after touring with the show on its initial national tour for a year. During the pandemic, he began releasing short form comedic content with much success! Most recently on stage you may have seen him in The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse where he played Scuttle or onstage doing standup around New York City especially Gotham Comedy Club where his set succeeded Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan!I WANNA BE LIKE JARED GOLDSMITH CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Fan Mail Intro2. 05:15 Jared’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 07:50 Theater Beginnings4. 10:37 Stage Door Manor5. 12:45 Child Acting/Blue’s Clues!6. 19:25 The Ant Bully/Disney Renaissance7. 23:45 Spider Man 38. 27:25 College Experience9. 35:22 Getting An Agent10. 37:00 Dear Evan Hansen11. 1:00:33 DEH MOVIE/Movie Musicals12. 1:07:07 Social Media Presence and Content Creation13. 1:26:25 Sephora Girls Series14. 1:32:20 Posting/Influencers’ Effect of Tickets Sales15. 1:38:50 Brand Partnerships16. 1:41:00 Musicianship History17. 1:44:20 Stand Up Comedy18. 2:06:35 Better Nate Than Ever19. 2:10:10 State of the Industry20. 2:25:35 Original Musicals21. 2:29:45 Dream Guest Manifestation22. 2:30:55 AI Wanna Be Like You!: Musical Theater Jeopardy23. 2:38:40 Jared’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Charlie Siedenburg! Charlie Siedenburg is a press representative who’s worked on Broadway and at many regional houses across the country. Most recently, he announced he will be retiring from being the press representative at Barrington Stage after working there for 21 years to step into the new role of producer. Charlie has taken up the mantle at the College of Staten Island as producer heading their community theater productions starting with Fiddler on the Roof that wrapped up this past summer and featured a cast of 46 Staten Island natives spanning generations. He’s tells us all about working for the 50th Tony Awards, walking Donna Murphy down the red carpet and the time he visited Stephen Sondheim at his house in Turtle Bay.I WANNA BE LIKE CHARLIE SIEDENBURG MARKERS​00:00 CRAZY INTRO​03:50 Charlie’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid​05:15 Theater Beginnings​12:50 College Experience​20:05 Working As A Critic​21:35 Press Releases and Kits​28:25 Working the 50th Tony Awards​33:33 Springer Chicoine PR​36:09 Oedipus with Billy Crudup & Frances McDormand​37:05 Day to Day As A Press Rep​40:27 Paper Mill Playhouse​47:18 Barrington Stage​48:44 Follies​50:00 Meeting Stephen Sondheim​56:00 Follies/Barrington Stage CONT’D​59:55 On The Town Broadway Revival​1:04:15 The Met Opera​1:06:58 Press Vs Marketing Teams​1:08:50 Retirement From Barrington​1:14:05 Producing Fiddler on The Roof​1:17:55 Community Theater​1:24:15 Theater Appreciation Class​1:28:30 Musical Theater For Dummies​1:30:15 Blind Ranking​1:32:10 Dream Guest Manifestation​1:32:50 Charlie’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like Brett Boles! Brett Boles is a musical theater composer and lyricist whose work has been professionally performed regionally and in workshops in NYC. Most recently, a workshop of his musical Time Stops was presented at MTC starring Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Stanley. He’s most well known on social media (with over 650K followers collectively on TikTok and Instagram) for providing “The M Tea” giving viewers an inside look as to how some of their favorite music has been crafted. A former schoolteacher, Brett has launched a program to educate budding composers in musical theater the keys to writing a successful musical. We get to chatting all about that, what makes Disney music unique, that time he went to Sondheim’s house for dinner and much more!I WANNA BE LIKE BRETT BOLES CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Intro2. 04:40 Brett’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 08:20 Musicianship History4. 10:25 Ithaca College5. 12:45 BMI6. 17:40 Working With Collaborators7. 20:18 Sondheim’s Three Pillars8. 30:25 Crafting A Story9. 32:50 Scene To Song10. 39:05 Adaptations and Thoughtful Songwriting11. 52:02 The M Tea & Social Media!12. 1:02:10 Disney Sensibility13. 1:10:57 The M Tea Paid Program14. 1:14:14 Time Stops!15. 1:22:55 Time Signatures16. 1:29:50 Best Sondheim
Musical/Meeting Sondheim/Here We Are17. 1:34:53 Using Your Voice to Diversify Music18. 1:39:18 Pastiche19. 1:41:44 Ratatouille Musical???20. 1:44:00 Envisioning Your Writing21. 1:45:50 Sondheim’s Chair/Library Of Congress22. 1:52:15 State of The Industry23. 1:56:00 Musical Theater Trivia24. 2:01:10 Dream Guest Manifestation25. 2:03:00 Brett’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Randy Graff! Randy Graff is a Tony Award winning actress for her role as Oolie/Donna in City of Angels! Most well known for originating the role of Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway, Randy's career spans all over the stage and screen. From working with Carol Burnett on Broadway in Moon Over Buffalo, to originating a Neil Simon play Laughter on the 23rd Floor alongside Nathan Lane and J.K. Simmons and most recently originating an new Jason Robert Brown musical, Mr. Saturday Night (2022) alongside Billy Crystal. Currently semi retired, Randy gets to telling all about her remarkable career and the fulfillment she's found in teaching which she does now through her own private studio. If you’re interested in taking class with Randy, you could reach her at [email protected]!I WANNA BE LIKE RANDY GRAFF CHAPTERS​ 00:00 Intro ​ 04:20 Randy’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid​ 07:30 Brooklyn/Staten Island Origins​ 12:50 Wagner College ​ 20:25 The Kennedy Center Sondheim Festival​ 28:25 First Agent/Equity Card​ 31:05 Grease! & Saravá​ 41:25 Les Miserables ​ 49:20 I Dreamed A Dream​ 57:30 Variety in Musical Theater​ 1:00:45 City Of Angels ​ 1:07:20 What You Don’t Know About Women​ 1:10:35 City of Angels Reception​ 1:14:30 Winning a Tony Award!​ 1:19:00 Falsettos​ 1:25:15 Laughter on the 23rd Floor​ 1:29:30 Moon Over Buffalo with Carol Burnett!​ 1:32:10 Carol Burnett Advice​ 1:34:45 A Class Act!​ 1:38:38 Fiddler on the Roof with Alfred Molina​ 1:46:40 Do You Love Me?​ 1:50:10 Mr. Saturday Night with Billy Crystal​ 2:01:30 Vocal Health​ 2:05:00 Advice to Younger Self​ 2:06:30 Teaching​ 2:17:50 AI Wanna Be Like You!​ 2:21:50 Dream Guest Manifestation​ 2:22:30 Randy’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Robert Horn! Robert Horn is a Tony Award winning Book Writer for his work on Tootsie alongside David Yazbek! Prior to working in theater, Robert had a successful career in TV/Film writing on Designing Women, Living Single and High Society to name a few. He’s penned some successful television movies for Disney Channel including the High School Musical spinoff Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, The Suite Life Movie and Teen Beach Movie! Robert began his career writing musicals by working alongside Jason Robert Brown on the musical 13 which starred Ariana Grande and subsequently wrote the film version that Netflix acquired in 2022. Since winning his Tony, Robert wrote the Tony Award nominated musical Shucked which is currently on tour and in the West End as well as the stage adaptation of Hercules currently running in Germany and the West End! He’s got many new projects in development and gets to discussing the keys to comedy as well as what makes a successful book for a musical!I WANNA BE LIKE ROBERT HORN CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Intro WITH ROBERT2. 02:08 Robert’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 07:25 Theater Beginnings 4. 12:26 Donna Murphy & Bette Midler5. 14:30 Moving to LA6. 16:50 Designing Women7. 19:20 Living Single, Pilot Season and Overall Deals8. 31:10 Moving Back To NY, Working in Theater9. 32:20 13 The Musical10. 39:55 13 The Movie11. 43:10 Partners12. 46:00 Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, The Suite Life Movie and Teen Beach Movie13. 54:10 Moving Back to NYC/Writing Musicals14. 56:00 Moonshine: The Hee Haw Musical15. 1:00:00 Tootsie 16. 1:11:00 Comedy in Theater17. 1:16:10 Tootsie on Broadway!18. 1:19:50 WINNING THE TONY19. 1:23:30 Shucked!20. 1:37:10 Hercules Stage Adaptation21. 1:44:30 Bathroom Break22. 1:45:30 Dream People To Write For23. 1:46:45 What’s Next?!?!24. 1:48:50 Advice For Younger Self25. 1:51:15 State Of The Industry26. 1:52:10 Dream Guest Manifestation27. 1:53:33 Robert’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Ken Davenport! Ken Davenport is a successful book writer and producer for multiple Broadway shows garnering 2 Tony Awards for Kinky Boots (Best Musical) and Once on this Island (Best Revival of a Musical). Currently, he’s working on Joy Off Broadway at the Laura Pels Theater where he serves as the producer and book writer. The Broadway shows he’s currently serving as producer include Gypsy and Oh Mary! Some of the shows he worked on as book writer include Altar Boyz, Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage, and My First Time! His most notable Broadway projects as producer include Godspell, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, and Groundhog Day! We also get to talking about the state of the industry and how this season’s record breaking financial success might not be the success you think.I WANNA BE LIKE KEN DAVENPORT CHAPTERS​ 00:00 Intro​ 06:25 Ken’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid​ 11:05 Theater Beginnings​ 17:00 Creating Theater​ 21:45 Immersive Theater​ 24:25 Altar Boyz​ 34:00 Joy Off Broadway!​ 38:00 Balancing Commerce and Art​ 40:10 The Road to Broadway​ 43:10 The Best Time To Open A New Show​ 46:30 Accessible Theater Tickets​ 48:45 Broadway 2025​ 55:30 Ken’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today I Wanna Be Like Elizabeth Teeter! Elizabeth Teeter is a triple threat performer with 4 Broadway credits including Lydia in Beetlejuice, Mary Poppins, The Audience and The Crucible! Currently, she’s starring as Heather McNamara in Heathers at New World Stages! Having performed on Broadway alongside Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, Sadie Sink, and Saoirse Ronan, Elizabeth’s career has spanned a multitude of styles and productions. Since starring in Beetlejuice, her social media following has grown exponentially resulting in over 169K followers on TikTok. Coming from a family of teachers, Elizabeth also does masterclasses and teaches Acting Through Song for middle school and high school aged students.I WANNA BE LIKE ELIZABETH TEETER CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Intro2. 03:27 Elizabeth’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 04:50 Theater Beginnings4. 09:00 Mary Poppins: Broadway Debut5. 14:45 Dance/Ballet History6. 19:35 The Audience with Helen Mirren7. 28:20 The Crucible8. 38:20 The Secret Life of Bees9. 44:15 Beetlejuice!!!10. 55:10 Advice for Young Lydia’s11. 58:37 Heathers!!!12. 1:20:25 Social Media Influencing13. 1:25:15 Teaching and Coaching!14. 1:37:00 Auditioning15. 1:42:00 What Interests You Most?16. 1:47:20 Dream Guest Manifestation + AI17. 1:52:35 Elizabeth’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Peter Van Dam! Peter Van Dam is a Broadway casting director who’s a co-owner of The TRC Company. He’s currently the Casting Director for SIX on Broadway! Most recently, Peter cast the Tony Award nominated Best Musical Dead Outlaw, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends and The Heart of Rock n Roll! A graduate from Boston Conservatory, Peter pivoted from acting and worked as  Lonny Price’s assistant on the Merrily We Roll Along documentary, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened. Now he’s served as a Tony voter and is consistently casting shows on or coming to Broadway!I WANNA BE LIKE PETER VAN DAM CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Intro 2. 03:00 Peter’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 06:14 Theater Beginnings 4. 10:45 College Experience5. 15:00 Internships6. 18:20 Assisting Lonny Price/Merrily We Roll Along Documentary7. 21:00 Transitioning to Casting8. 26:25 Creative Side to Casting9. 28:50 Dead Outlaw!10. 34:00 The Pressures of Being A Casting Director11. 37:40 Looking Out For Actors12. 43:10 Resumes13. 47:00 EPA & ECC Auditions14. 50:05 Sing Street15. 53:10 Tootsie16. 54:40 Authentic Casting17. 58:55 SIX on Broadway!18. 1:05:20 Casting Swings19. 1:08:35 Picking Projects20. 1:11:45 AI Wanna Be Like You!21. 1:17:35 Dream Guest Manifestation!22. 1:18:25 Peter’s I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Today, I Wanna Be Like Jess LeProtto! Jess LeProtto is a Broadway veteran who’s been working onstage since he was a child in shows including Bye Bye Birdie with John Stamos and The Boy From Oz alongside Hugh Jackman. As an adult, he was in the ensembles of Hello Dolly with Bette Midler, Newsies, Carousel and most recently seen on Broadway in A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. Jess, a former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Season 8, made it to the Top 8! He also played the role A-Rab in the 2021 Steven Spielberg helmed West Side Story film! Up next, his original album By The Bay releases August 15 on all streaming platforms!I WANNA BE LIKE JESS LEPROTTO CHAPTERS1. 00:00 Intro 2. 03:20 Jess’ I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 07:34 First Broadway Show4. 08:34 Dance History5. 10:47 Professional Child Actor6. 13:05 The Boy From Oz: Broadway Debut!7. 17:20 Getting An Agent8. 18:50 How The Grinch Stole Christmas!9. 23:00 Keys To Being A Swing10. 25:32 Bye Bye Birdie With John Stamos11. 36:50 So You Think You Can Dance!12. 48:45 SMASH TV Show13. 50:15 College Audition Experience14. 51:30 SYTYCD Tour!15. 55:15 College Experience CONT’D16. 58:10 Newsies!17. 1:08:10 In Your Arms With Chris Gatelli18. 1:12:20 On the Town!19. 1:22:15 Warm Ups and Stamina20. 1:24:40 A Bronx Tale at Paper Mill!21. 1:29:10 CATS on Broadway!22. 1:38:38 Hello Dolly with Bette Midler!23. 1:45:50 Gavin Creel 24. 1:49:00 Hello Dolly CONT’D25. 1:55:00 Carousel26. 2:05:00 Performing at the Tony’s!27. 2:09:00 Barnaby in Hello Dolly Tour!28. 2:11:20 Spielberg’s West Side Story29. 2:27:45 Dancing Onscreen vs Onstage30. 2:34:30 A Beautiful Noise!31. 2:44:40 Schmigadoon!32. 2:49:50 Teaching33. 2:52:55 Auditions34. 2:57:20 NEWSIES MISHAP!35. 3:02:50 Advice to Younger Self36. 3:04:20 Jess’ Upcoming Album!37. 3:05:30 AI Wanna Be Like You!38. 3:09:30 Dream Guest Manifestation39. 3:10:40 Jess’ I Wanna Be Like You NOW!

Welcome to the new BONUS series of I Wanna Be Like You, I Wanna See! Today, I Wanna See Rolling Thunder! Rollling Thunder is a new musical premiering Off Broadway premiering at New World Stages! It brings together legendary songs of the period of the 60's and 70's, raw and potent storytelling inspired by Vietnam veterans and their families!