The BSB Podcast

'The Notebook The Musical' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

Few love stories have endured quite like The Notebook, but the stage musical finds new ways to make its familiar romance feel immediate, intimate, and deeply theatrical. And perhaps most importantly, refreshing. From youthful romance and family expectations to memory, aging, and the enduring nature of love, the musical expands on the emotional world audiences know while giving its characters new dimensions to explore. But how well does The Notebook musical capture Allie and Noah's classic love story? That's the question that lies at the heart of our Story and Characters podcast discussion! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters within The Notebook musical. What's interesting or dynamic about the love story on stage that you can't get in the film or book? How does the notion of memory play into the overall story? Which character or performance really stood out in this North American touring production? Also, were there aspects of The Notebook that didn't translate well to the stage production? All those questions and more are answered in this exciting podcast episode! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Jonathan Kind and Jeff Thomakos of Inspired Acting Company's 'God of Carnage'

Few things are more entertaining than watching perfectly respectable adults completely lose their composure, and that is precisely where Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage finds its wickedly funny sweet spot. What begins as a seemingly civilized meeting between two sets of parents quickly spirals into an increasingly chaotic battle of egos, grievances, and barely concealed resentment. Beneath the sharp wit and outrageous comedy, however, the play offers a deliciously uncomfortable look at how quickly social niceties can crumble when people are pushed just a little too far. Inspired Acting Company is bringing this acclaimed dark comedy to the stage, inviting audiences to take a front-row seat as four adults attempt to navigate an evening that becomes considerably more explosive than anyone could have anticipated. We had a chance to talk with the Artistic Director of Inspired Acting Company, who is also one of the actors in the show, Jeff Thomakos, and the director of God of Carnage, Jonathan Kind! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Jonathan Kind and Jeff Thomakos discuss what drew them to God of Carnage and what audiences can expect from this intimate play. Bringing Reza’s razor-sharp comedy to life, navigating the complicated relationships at the heart of the story, and balancing outrageous humor with uncomfortable truths, they discuss how Inspired Acting Company supports actors through the process and why stories like this one matter. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Michael Alan Herman and Briana O'Neal of Theatre Nova's 'Maestro'

Theater has a remarkable ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary, inviting audiences to see familiar experiences through an entirely new lens. At Theatre Nova, playwright Michael Alan Herman and director Briana O'Neal bring a new theatrical experience, Maestro, to the stage, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a story that sparks curiosity, reflection, and conversation. Maestro turns a world of music and drama into a show that embraces the melodrama, striking a chord between a world long gone and the reality we live in now. As a venue known for championing adventurous, thought-provoking works, Theatre Nova provides a fitting home for a production that encourages audiences to look beyond the surface and engage with the ideas unfolding before them, making Maestro a match made in musical heaven. We recently spoke with Michael Alan Herman and Briana O'Neal about their time on this production and what audiences can expect when they attend Maestro at Theatre Nova! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Michael Alan Herman shares where the idea for this show came from (spoiler alert: it was heavily influenced by a date with his wife!) and how he turned it from a thought in his head into a script on the page. Director Briana O'Neal talks about how vivid the story on the page is and how easily it felt to develop Maestro for Theatre Nova's stage! With a show bigger than life, both Herman and O'Neal embrace it and push the boundaries to create a show that is as hysterical as it is fun! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Scott Schoenberger of Glenlore Trails 'CarnEvil2'

'Tis the season for thrills and chills; however, those looking for some Halloween fun without the scares need look no further than Glenloe Trails' CarnEvil 2! This experience turns a simple walk through the woods into a full-blown, family-friendly descent into the macabre. With a trail that has more treats than tricks, elaborate lighting, some fun interactive features, and plenty of surprises lurking around every corner, CarnEvil 2 takes the concept of a Halloween attraction and makes it far more immersive. This is a world where Halloween feels alive, the unexpected is practically guaranteed, and every step forward comes with the question of what might be waiting just beyond the next turn. We recently spoke with Scott Schoeneberger, the creator behind Glenlore Trails and the mind helping bring CarnEvil 2 to life. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Scott Schoeneberger has built an experience that goes beyond a simple walk through the woods, embracing the atmosphere, storytelling, visual spectacle, and theatricality that make a great Halloween event memorable. With CarnEvil 2, that vision gets even bigger, stranger, and more unpredictable, inviting audiences to leave the ordinary world behind and willingly step into the nightmare. Schoeneberger offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating Glenlore Trails’ latest frightfully fun-filled adventure, and why sometimes the best way to celebrate Halloween is to get completely lost in the dark forest and bright lights. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Exclusive Interview: Brian Townsend of the Players Guild of Dearborn's 'Disaster!'

Get ready for a theatrical disaster unlike anything you've ever seen before, and thankfully, that is very much the point. The Players Guild of Dearborn is bringing the delightfully outrageous musical Disaster! to the stage, bringing a hilarious mash-up of ’70s disaster movies, over-the-top characters, and some of the biggest pop hits of the disco era. With earthquakes, tidal waves, questionable decisions, and plenty of musical mayhem packed into one wildly entertaining production, Disaster! knows exactly what kind of ride it wants to take its audience on. Leading the charge is director Brian Townsend, who took time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us and talk about what audiences can expect! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Brian Townsend discusses how he brought all that chaos together onstage in Disaster! From balancing rapid-fire comedy with musical numbers to creating the show's larger-than-life world, directing this musical requires keen timing and a willingness to embrace the ridiculous. But Townsend talks more about the joys than the challenges of directing this musical for the Players Guild of Dearborn. He talks about the passion that every cast and creative team member brought to this production, and why he can't wait to welcome audiences to sit back, laugh, sing along, and enjoy every wonderfully disastrous moment. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Aurora Real De Asua & Julia Glander of Tipping Point Theatre's 'Aping Jane'

What happens when the story we think we know about a person beloved by so many is turned on its head? That question sits at the heart of Aping Jane, a thought-provoking new production making its World premiere at Tipping Point Theatre. Written by Aurora Real de Asua and directed by Julia Glander, the play takes a fresh, provocative look at the life, legacy, and complicated mythology surrounding one of literature’s most recognizable figures, Jane Goodall. Rather than simply revisiting familiar territory or telling it in a traditional theatrical style, Aping Jane invites audiences to reconsider the stories we inherit, the people who get to tell them, and the ways history can be reshaped through imagination and perspective. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Aurora Real de Asua and Julia Glander discuss what it's like to bring this developmental production to Tipping Point Theatre! With Real de Asua bringing the words to the stage and Glander shaping those words into a theatrical experience, the production becomes a fascinating meeting of playwright and director, two artists approaching the material from different creative angles while working toward the same compelling vision. Real de Asua discusses her inspiration for the play, while both guests talk about the impact that Jane Goodall had on their lives. What are the challenges of a developmental show? Check out this interview to find out all those answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Exclusive Interview: Jonathan Bricklin of 'Little People Social Club'

What happens when a simple idea for bringing people together becomes something much bigger? For Jonathan Bricklin, the answer is Little People Social Club, an upcoming space built around connection, community, and the idea that the right gathering can turn strangers into something more meaningful. As the club's creator, Bricklin has helped shape an environment that is about more than simply showing up; it is about creating opportunities for people to connect, share experiences, and become part of something. But most importantly, it's about inclusion, with a space designed with Little People in mind. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Jonathan Bricklin shares the inspiration behind Little People Social Club, what he hopes the club can offer its members, and how he turned an idea into a real-world community. How has his experience of creating many successful ping-pong clubs across New York City influenced how he approached Little People Social Club? What vibes and design is he bringing to this latest venture? We also take a closer look at what makes the concept unique and why creating spaces where people can come together remains so powerful, especially today. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Migdalia Cruz of 'Women+ On The Edge of Democracy'

Theater has always had the power to confront the moment we are living in, and playwright Migdalia Cruz brings a particularly distinctive voice to that conversation. Through her work, Cruz has explored the complexities of identity, power, history, and the human experience, creating theater that invites audiences to look at familiar issues from unexpected perspectives. Her participation in Women+ on the Edge of Democracy places that voice within a larger theatrical conversation about democracy, representation, and women navigating an increasingly complicated world. The project brings together playwrights and artists who use theater to examine the forces shaping society, and Cruz’s contribution adds another compelling perspective to that dialogue. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Migdalia Cruz discusses her work, her creative process, and what drew her to Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, offering insight into how playwrights can use their craft not simply to tell stories, but to challenge audiences to think, question, and engage with the world around them. She discusses how she wanted to flip what it means to be a political play, instead focusing on comedy as a device to deliver her larger message. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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'Suffs the Musical' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast

Some musicals tell a story while others make history feel alive. Suffs does the latter with a striking combination of powerful music, dynamic performances, and inventive stagecraft that transforms a pivotal chapter of American history into something immediate and theatrical. With its score driving the story's emotional heartbeat, the musical uses music not simply to move the plot forward, but to give its characters distinct voices and its larger themes urgency and momentum. Equally impressive is the production’s stagecraft, which creates a world that can shift seamlessly between intimate personal moments and sweeping historical events. From the ensemble's movement to the visual design surrounding them, every element feels carefully orchestrated. In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko are once again joined by guest Emily Brown to continue their discussion of the North American touring production of Suffs the Musical! How does this music add to the overall feel of the show? Was there a specific number or song that these three were drawn to? How did the set and costumes work together to deliver the all-important message at the core of Suffs the Musical? Listen to this podcast episode to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Susan Miller of 'Women+ On The Edge of Democracy'

When democracy, identity, and the voices that shape our society are constantly questioned, theater can do something remarkably simple—and remarkably important: make us listen. That idea is at the heart of Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, a project that brings together writers and artists to explore the complicated realities facing women and marginalized voices in an increasingly fractured world. Among those contributing to this important artistic conversation is playwright Susan Miller, whose work has long shown theater's ability to turn larger social questions into deeply personal stories. With Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, Miller joins a collective exploration of what it means to have a voice, to fight to be heard, and to navigate a world where democratic ideals can feel both essential and fragile. Her participation adds another distinctive perspective to a project built on conversation, creativity, and the stage's power to challenge audiences. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Susan Miller discusses her work with Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, what drew her to the project, and how theater can create space for difficult questions while encouraging audiences to see the world around them in new ways. She also discusses what it's like to be part of a project like this one that joins voices and brings them to communities across the country during such a divisive time. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Alanis Sophia of 'Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical'

Some transformations go beyond a costume change, which the opening show of the 313 Presents Broadway season would definitely know about! In Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical, one of comedy’s most unforgettable characters springs to life onstage with wigs, outrageous disguises, plenty of heart, and a whole lot of theatrical chaos. Based on the beloved film, the musical follows Daniel Hillard, a struggling actor and devoted father who will do almost anything to remain close to his children, even if that means becoming their hilariously unconventional nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire. Beneath the laughs and larger-than-life antics, however, is a story about family, love, and the lengths we go to for the people who matter most. A talented ensemble brings that story to the stage, including Alanis Sophia, whose performance adds another memorable voice to this energetic musical world. With its blend of comedy, heartfelt moments, and infectious music, Mrs. Doubtfire proves that sometimes the most unexpected disguises can reveal who we really are. We caught up with Alanis Sophia to talk about what audiences can expect from this touring production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Alanis Sophia talks about what it's like to step into a beloved world like Mrs. Doubtfire and how the musical has elevated the story of the Robin Williams-led film. With a singer-songwriter background and having grown up in the music industry, how do those personal experiences impact her role as Lydia Hillard? It isn't always easy to play a 15-year-old on stage when you're 25, so how does she find the truth in this character? Check out this fun interview to find out more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

'Suffs The Musical' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

History can feel distant, separated by the expansiveness of time and the story on the page, until the lights come up and the people who changed it stand right in front of you. SUFFS the Musical brings the fight for women’s suffrage roaring to life with powerhouse performances, infectious music, and a story that refuses to sit quietly in the history books. But this is no dusty civics lesson. With its bold theatricality and contemporary pulse, SUFFS turns the struggle for women's right to vote into something immediate, emotional, and surprisingly exhilarating. The result is a musical that reminds audiences that progress has never been as simple as a date in a textbook; it has always been driven by people willing to speak up, push back, and demand to be heard. The power and strength of the story in this musical made it a must-have for the BSB Podcast! In today's episode, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko are joined by special guest Emily Brown to discuss what the story behind SUFFS the Musical means to them. With both hosts having seen this before on Broadway, some more than once, they are able to provide an interesting perspective on what the show looked like in NYC compared to how it transitioned to a touring musical. Has the emotional journey that these characters go on changed at all? Find out in this fun episode of the BSB Podcast! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview Mackenzie Conn and J.R. Spaulding of Farmington Players' 'The Haunting of Hill House'

The lights go down, the silence settles in, and somewhere inside Hill House, something is waiting. Shirley Jackson’s chilling tale comes alive onstage in The Haunting of Hill House, a theatrical experience where atmosphere can be as terrifying as the ghosts themselves. With its creaking corridors, unsettling shadows, psychological tension, and ever-growing sense of dread, the play transforms the theater into a place where nothing, and no one, feels entirely safe. As the characters venture deeper into Hill House, the line between what is real and what is imagined blurs, creating a deliciously unnerving night of theater. This is the kind of production that doesn't simply ask audiences to watch the haunting; it invites them to feel it. Farmington Players is excited to welcome audiences into Hill House, and we had the chance to talk to the director of this production, J.R. Spaulding, and one of the cast members, Mackenzie Conn, about what audiences can expect from this show! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Spaulding and Conn discuss what drew them to the production and how familiar they were with the world of The Haunting of Hill House before being cast. While the director approached the show with a clean slate, Conn has loved the original film for years. Which approach works best for bringing this world to life? How does a show such as The Haunting of Hill House come together technically? Check out this interview to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Rebeca Robles of 'Human Things'

In theater, there are moments when the lights come up, and a story doesn’t simply unfold; it grabs you by the collar and asks you to look a little closer at what it means to be human. That is the space Human Things inhabits. Now playing Off-Broadway, the production dives into the messy, emotional, and often unpredictable territory of human connection, where vulnerability can be as powerful as any grand theatrical spectacle. Among the performers bringing that world to life is Rebeca Robles, whose onstage presence gives the production an immediacy that is impossible to ignore. With every glance, pause, and emotional turn, Robles helps create a theatrical experience that feels less like watching characters from a distance and more like being invited into their lives. In Human Things, the emotions are close, the stakes feel personal, and Robles is right in the middle of it all, turning the ordinary complications of being human into compelling theater. While it's currently in previews, we sat down with the actress and producer to learn what it's like to bring Joshua Owen's play to life. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Rebeca Robles talks about what it's like to have a role written specifically for you, and how that led to bringing Human Things to the stage off-Broadway at the West End Theatre. She talks about her journey into the arts and how her husband, who is also the playwright, supported her in that adventure, and how it also helped shape some aspects of this play. What is it like to pull double duty as both actor and producer on a show? Check out this interview to learn more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Exclusive Interview: Angela Birchett of 'The Notebook'

Love may be written in ink, but onstage, it comes alive in music, memory, and the passage of time. The Notebook takes a story already etched into popular culture and gives it a heartbeat of its own, turning the sweeping romance of Allie and Noah into an intimate, visually rich theatrical experience. The Notebook is arriving in Detroit as ATG Detroit's season opener, and we had the pleasure of speaking with Angela Birchett, who's playing Older Allie in this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Angela Birchett talks about what it's like to join a production like this one and how Allie compares to previous roles she's played. What is it like to play a character who doesn't remember who she is? How does sharing the role of Allie with two other actresses change how she approaches it? Find out in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Exclusive Interview: Matthew J. Prigge, Author of 'Dog's Day'

Before Al Pacino brought Sonny Wortzik to the screen, before Dog Day Afternoon became one of cinema’s most unforgettable crime dramas, a real bank robbery in Brooklyn unfolded, and a story far stranger than anything Hollywood could have invented. In Dog's Day, author Matthew J. Prigge revisits the events of that infamous 1972 standoff, peeling back the layers of a crime that became a cultural phenomenon and examining the people whose lives it forever changed. With a sharp eye for the overlooked corners of history, Prigge goes beyond the movie to explore the complicated relationship between John Wojtowicz and Liz Eden, the desperate circumstances surrounding the robbery, and the social upheaval of New York’s early 1970s. The result is a fascinating portrait of love, identity, desperation, and the uneasy line between a real-life tragedy and the legend it became. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Matthew J. Prigge discusses what initially drew him to John Wojtowicz's story and how he sifted through conflicting accounts to find the truth within the fiction. Is there any truth to the tales that Wojtowicz is spinning, and how exactly does that make him a face of the gay liberation movement? Prigge explores it all, and nothing is off the table in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

'MAMMA MIA!' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast

Few musicals understand the assignment quite like MAMMA MIA! It arrives with ABBA hits blazing, sequins practically within arm’s reach, and enough infectious energy to make even the most dignified theatergoer consider dancing in their seat. But beneath the glitter, sunshine, and gloriously tangled romantic escapades is a remarkably well-crafted piece of musical theater, one that knows exactly when to embrace its silliness and when to let its emotional moments land. From its buoyant choreography to its clever use of ABBA’s timeless catalog, MAMMA MIA! is less interested in restraint than in giving audiences an unapologetically good time. And honestly, theater could use more of that. This is musical theater with its hair down, its dancing shoes on, and a very good reason to sing along. And that feel-good music and dancing vibe is what we're exploring in today's podcast! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the disco music and 90's stagecraft that come together to make MAMMA MIA! the Broadway staple that it is. What songs from this touring production caught their attention? Which made them feel like a dancing queen? Did the set inspire Greek dreams, or did it leave us feeling like Sophie in her nightmare sequence? Listen to this episode to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Sutton James Kaylor of 'The Outsiders'

Broadway has seen plenty of stories about growing up, but few hit quite as hard as The Outsiders. This musical has a rawness that refuses to stay neatly inside the lines. It’s bruising, beautiful, rebellious, and unexpectedly tender, all at once. Set against the rough-and-tumble world of 1960s Tulsa, The Outsiders follows Ponyboy Curtis and his fellow Greasers as they navigate a world divided by class, loyalty, violence, and the unshakable bonds of friendship. What makes the Broadway production so thrilling is how it transforms S. E. Hinton’s classic story into something intensely theatrical. The stage becomes a battleground, a playground, and a place where teenage dreams collide with harsh reality. We recently spoke with Sutton James Kaylor, who is currently playing Sodapop on Broadway, about what it's like to join a show in its third year and the pressure that comes with telling a story such as this one In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Sutton James Kaylor takes us back to where his love for performing began and how it eventually led him to the bright lights of Broadway. With The Outsiders being his first Broadway show, what was it like to join a production already in motion? Where does he draw from to bring his version of Sodapop alive on stage? Check out this fun interview to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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Exclusive Interview: Daniel Valentine, Valencia Morgan, and Kodie Allen of Birmingham Village Players' 'Once On This Island'

Forget the glittering castles and predictable fairy tales. Once on This Island finds its magic somewhere far more unexpected: on a tropical island, beneath a sky ruled by temperamental gods, where love can rival the forces of nature and a simple story can become something breathtaking. With its infectious Caribbean-inspired score, vibrant characters, and storytelling that feels almost as if it is being conjured right before the audience’s eyes, the musical invites us into a world where anything feels possible. Yet Once on This Island is more than a beautiful love story set against an idyllic backdrop. At its heart is a tale about hope, sacrifice, social class, fate, and the stubborn human desire to believe that love can change everything. We had the pleasure of chatting with Daniel Valentine, director of Birmingham Village Players' production of Once On This Island, and two cast members, Valencia Morgan and Kodie Allen, who explore what audiences can expect from this musical! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Valentine, Morgan, and Allen discuss what drew them to Once On This Island and how BVP has been working to make this production extra special! With some roles double-cast, has that added an extra challenge to bringing it to life? And what message from this show speaks to them? Find out in this interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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'MAMMA MIA!' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

In this episode of the BSB Insider Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko can't wait to discuss the story and characters of the most recent North American touring production of MAMMA MIA! There was something special about this production that they've never seen before, so what was it that stood out about this version of MAMMA MIA!? Whose acting knocked their socks off? Tune in to this exciting episode of the BSB Insider podcast to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

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