Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb
Celebrating extreme excellence in theater, film and tv, this podcast takes listeners all over the world on a journey behind the scenes featuring never-before-heard stories from Academy Award winners, Tony Award winners, Golden Globe Award winners, and so much more. Co-Hosts Eila Mell, bestselling author (The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre) and renowned podcast host, and Bruce Gotleib, who has never met an Awards show he doesn’t like, take guests through their experience of being nominated and subsequently winning their award(s), highlighting interesting and intimate details about their awards experience that will leave everyone happy to...
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Brandon J. Dirden - The Imaginary Invalid, The Americans & More…
<p>Star of stage and screen Brandon J. Dirden joins Behind the Awards to discuss Directing and working with Bill Irwin in this season’s revival of The Imaginary Invalid playing at The Roundabout through November 22nd. Brandon also shares stories on working with Keri Russell in The Americans, and countless plays with Ruben Santiago Hudson by August Wilson.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Upcoming Cast Recordings - The Lost Boys - October 30th, Rent: Original Broadway Cast Recording (30th Anniversary Edition) - November 13th, Voices of the Gilded Age: The Christmas Album - November 6th...
Ava Lalezarzadeh - Taking Stage and Screen by Storm
<p>Actress Ava Lalezarzadeh joins Behind the Awards to chat about her current role in Bill Irwin’s adaptation of The Imaginary Invalid. Ava also talks about making her Broadway Debut in last seasons English, working with Billy Crystal in Apple TV’s Before, Writing, Producing and Performing in the film In the Garden of Tulips and more.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Broadway Cares Rent 30th Anniversary Concert</p> <p><br></p> <p>Ava Lalezarzadeh returns to Roundabout Theatre Company after making her Broadway debut in English (five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play), recip...
Eve Plumb - Here’s the story…
<p>Actress Eve Plumb better known to the world as Jan Brady stops by Behind the Awards to talk about her memoir Happiness Included. Eve shares what it was like to be a child actor and part of The Brady Bunch, one of the most iconic families in TV history.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Get Eve’s Book - https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/shop/happiness-included/</p> <p>Plumb Goods - https://www.eveplumb.tv/plumbgoods</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce go to opening night of Copperfield the Musical</p> <p><...
Kevin Zak - A Kidman Carol
<p>Writer, Director, Actor Kevin Zak comes back to Behind the Awards to deep dive his upcoming Play A Kidman Carol starring Marla Mindelle & Josh Sharp. Imagine Nicole Kidman guiding Cate Blanchett through awards season ala A Christmas Carole and there you have the hilarious brain child of Kevin Zak. Kevin also talks about Ginger Twinses, Mommy Dearest, and more.</p> <p><br></p> <p>For tickets - https://akidmancarol.com/</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Bruce & Eila discuss School Girls: The African Mean Girls Play</p> <p><br></p> <p>Originally from Buffalo, Kevin ha...
Anthony Michael Lopez - A Flair for Theatricality
<p>Anthony Michael Lopez joins Behind the Awards to chat about his stage and screen career. Most known for his role of Bruce in Survival of the Thickest, Tony is also an accomplished stage Actor seen in last seasons Titus Andronicus with Patrick Page. Tony gives us the low down on working with Page as well as Othello, Our Town, Camelot and The Gilded Age.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Three’s Company Come and Knock on Our Door tour is scheduled for November 2 at Joe's Pub. Hosted by original cast member Joyce DeWitt alongside John Ri...
Chris Fisher - Broadway’s Magic Man!
<p>Illusions and Visual Effects Designer Chris Fisher stops by Behind the Awards fresh off the opening of Paranormal Activity to breakdown the magic he’s creating for the show. Chris also does a deep dive into the illusions in Stranger Things that won him a 2025 Tony Award and his theater career in such shows as Wicked, Company, Harry Potter, and the upcoming Nanny McPhee the Musical. Chris also had is magic wand in the creation of Black Swan and 2:22 A Ghost Story coming in October to The Lortell Theater.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Doug...
Brandon Contreras - Born to Lead
<p>Broadway’s Brandon Contreras joins Behind the Awards to dish on his career thus far after recently taking over the role of Charles in Operation Mincemeat. Brandon shares the thrill of staring in both Titanique Off Broadway and Titanic at New York City Center. Brandon also talks about being in Almost Famous and working with Cameron Crowe, Drew Gehling and Anika Larsen. Brandon shares some future dream roles.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Annie is back on Broadway and Eila & Bruce have casting ideas for Hannigan, Rooster and Lily</p> <p><br></p> <p>Brand...
Jay Jackson AKA Laganja Estranja - From RuPaul’s Drag Race to Jawbreaker the Musical
<p>Drag Race Alum and Choreographer Jay Jackson aka Laganja Estranja joins Behind the Awards to chat about her latest project, Choreographer of the Jawbreaker the Musical workshop. The cult film has been turned into a musical by the films creator Darren Stein and lead by one of the original “Flawless Ones” Rebecca Gayheart. Laganja also tells us about her upcoming Fall 2027 project; Co-Choreographing Miss Step at Playwrights Horizons. Of course we got some Drag Race tea too!</p> <p><br></p> <p>Get tickets to Jawbreaker the Musical - https://www.hudsontheatre.com/index.html</p> <p><br></p> <p>Jay...
Elizabeth Stanley - Keeping Us on the Edge of Our Seat!
<p>Tony Nominee Elizabeth Stanley joins Behind the Awards to talk about her brand new thriller Disruption now playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center as well as the hit musical Jagged Little Pill. Elizabeth shares what it was like to work with Alanis Morissette on such iconic music. Disruption is playing through October 4th and you can catch Elizabeth alongside John David Washington, Conrad Ricamora, Joe Tippett and Irene Sofia Lucio.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Get tickets here: https://www.disruptionplay.com/</p> <p><br></p> <p>Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce see Paranormal Activity on Br...
Broadway Fantasy Draft
<p>Behind the Awards is joined by Kristin Hopkins, Ashley Hufford and Alan Seales to select our Fantasy Broadway Lineup. From Rising Star to Legacy Performer, from Director to Costume Designer we cover it all! Listen along and make your selections! Did names like Idina Menzel, Bob Fosse, Caissie Levy or Debbie Allen make the lists? Listen to find out!</p> <p><br></p> <p>Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y.</p> <p>Connect with Eila and Bruce:</p> Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce <p> </p><p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</p>
