The CurtainCast

Legendary Broadway pair Lisa Brescia and Craig Carnelia come on the show to discuss their recent foray into Missouri State's performances of "Working", of which Lisa directed and Craig helped create!

Professor Kyle A. Thomas comes on the show to discuss his most recent project, "Everybody", a modern adaptation of a morality play from the 1500s. Get a sneak peak behind the scenes of this return to live theatre!

Broadway star Lisa Brescia discusses her incredible journey to the Broadway stage and how she ended up playing one of the most difficult roles in musical theatre history: the girl in green, Elphaba from Wicked.

The CurtainCast returns with discussions about MSU's latest production, "The Secret Garden." This show's rehearsal process spanned months, multiple semesters, and even a pandemic, but still happened just the same. Listen in as director Robert Westenberg (Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George) and actor Hayden Hart explain how they made this magical show a reality.

The CurtainCast is back with a brand new pair of interviews, this time about MSU's most recent production of "Picnic" by William Inge. Featuring interviews from actress Kayla Stadler and director Lisa Brescia (who just finished up her Broadway run of Dear Evan Hansen a few months ago)! Listen in to find out everything there is to know about this fantastic play's process of creation.

Part one of the episode described in legend is here. Dread it, run from it- but nonetheless, CATS still arrives. Our host was recently given a chance to personally work on the show of legend. Has he lost his sanity? Has he forged a contract with the dread lord Andrew Lloyd Webber himself? Listen in to find out- and to hear our two fabulous guests, Sarah and Jenna!

The CurtainCast has returned! In this episode, Steven interviews Professor CJ Maples, the director of Missouri State's recent production of "Crimes of the Heart." He's later joined by Sidney Baker who played one of the leading roles in the show, Babe! Tune in to hear how they made a show full of comedy, drama, and sisterly bonds.

After our long hiatus, the CurtainCast is finally back for Season 2! On this episode, we take a look at MSU's recent production of "bare", a unique show about growing up catholic, forbidden love, and the daily struggles of adolescence. Featuring returning guest Jenna Leavitt and the amazing Sarah Wiggin!

On this episode, we discuss MSU's newest musical production based on the hit film of the same name, Amelie. We had a spectacular chance to interview the show's Nino- returning guest Cameron Perry- and the show's director- Broadway legend Robert Westenberg (Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, The Secret Garden)! This is an episode you won't want to miss!

In the first official partnered episode, the CurtainCast welcomes not one, not two, but three different guests to discuss Missouri State's recent production of "The Wolves," a play that asks questions about community, youth, and mourning, and what it means to be connected to each other. We showcase both director and actor, and leave no stone unturned. You won't want to miss this episode folks! Featuring amazing guests Courtney Hittle, Cassandra DeFriedas, and Dr. Kurt Gerard Heinlein!

In this episode, we're given an insider look at a show many call a "Dancer's Dream"- Newsies, a modern Broadway classic with high leaps, rousing chorus numbers, and unioninizing against corporate tyrants. What more could you want? Join us as we interview Maggie Shermoen about her experience playing the leading lady Katherine in her production of this fan favorite!

In this departure from form, Steven and special guest Erin Hill tackle a musical that's close to their hearts- after all they were both in it in High School. Listen in as the duo discusses the insane process of putting such a production-heavy musical together in High School, and then weighs the pros- and the many cons- of the show as a whole.

Willkommen to a brand-new CurtainCast, featuring a fascinating musical that takes us back to the cabaret days of pre-WWII Germany. In here, life is beautiful- or is it? Jenna Leavitt joins us to discuss a fascinating showcase of entertainment, biting social commentary, and juxtaposition in one of the most unique musicals of its time, Cabaret!

In what might be the most difficult episode to record in podcast history, Steven and guest JacobtheLoofah talk about one of the best musical comedies around, Something Rotten! From breakfast to Shakespeare to homages to golden era musicals, this musical has it all, and we're going to talk about all of it. Or at least, as much as we can while fighting off internet problems and blasting Spanish Flea. (Note: This episode is explicit)

On another special episode of the show, Steven interviews an actor that will go down in the history books, Molly Woods, about her recent exploits as the identically-named "Molly" in Peter and the Starcatcher. The show's unique formatting and methods of storytelling make this show a truly fascinating one, and we provide you insight on what it's like to be on the other side of the curtain!

Steven and the legendary Cameron Perry tackle a musical full of sorority girls, perms, dogs, and evil criminal defense lawyers- Legally Blonde, based on the Reese Witherspoon movie of the same name. Join us as we talk character development, subverting stereotypes, relationships, Queer Eye, Fortnite, and Cry-Baby! Yeah, we kinda lose the plot in a couple spots.

In this episode, we shift gears a little bit and provide an insider look at one of the most popular musicals in the modern era, Heathers. Steven interviews the amazingly talented Caitlin Palmisano about her recent exploits as Veronica Sawyer, covering everything from high notes to costume changes. Listen in to find out just what makes a murder-based teen romance tick!

After a month of radio silence, the CurtainCast makes a daring return with returning guest Jay Butler! This week we're reviewing the short-lived Broadway musical "American Psycho"- a disturbing trip into the mind of an up-and coming Wall Street yuppie and part-time serial killer. Listen in as we discuss Patrick Bateman's distorted reality, the sad truths of the contemporary American psyche, and how much Phil Collins rules. (This one gets pretty explicit, gang)

Join our host Steven and guest Roland Netzer as we discuss one of the greatest stage adaptions of an animated musical ever- The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Grab some friends, gather around the hell-fire, and listen well as we riddle you this- what makes a monster and what makes a man?

On this Easter Sunday (and definitely no other holiday or yearly observance), we celebrate by cracking into one of the greatest musicals of all time- Strawinsky and the Mysterious House. We welcome fellow podcaster Quinn Wolf as we meet Trolls, Gods, and Globglogabgalabs on our spiritual quest to find Elohim. Check the musical out at: http://hopeanimation.com/ (it's only 2.99 for a digital copy!)

In this episode, we welcome regular musical encyclopedia Shane Everett as we go on a pilgrimage across Canaan and Egypt in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"! Why are there so many style changes? What's the deal with the kids that keep showing up? Why is the song about having an affair with a slave-owner's wife so dang catchy? Join us as we debate and discuss!

Welcome to episode three, where we are joined by Jay Butler as we riff for an hour about American philosophy, discuss racism's roots in our history, and rant about historical figures, all the while fighting with Audacity. Oh, yeah, and there's a musical in there somewhere too. Join us as we get populist with Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson!

On this episode, we are joined by the fabulous real-life Disney princess Callie Altepeter as we explore Disney's "The Little Mermaid"! Join us as we venture under the sea and discover why this show might be better than you think... besides that Prince Eric guy.

Welcome to the first episode of the CurtainCast! Every week we go song by song and analyze a musical's highs and lows, and what it means to tell a story using the stage as a canvas. To start things off, we're talking about the stunt-tacular circus/troupe show by Stephen Shwartz, Pippin. Joining us this week is in our journey to find our corner of the sky is the equally spectacular Victoria Dickson!

Catch the CurtainCast, coming to Luminous February 17.