Absent Friends: A Theatre Podcast by JD Manarang & Samuel Loetscher

Mary Poppins: Va Va Voom, Here I Am (w/ Ben Shaevitz aka Suzie Toot) | Absent Friends

Like a virgin, hey! Hosting a guest for the very first time! In this episode, I sat down with Benjamin Shaevitz, a "spritely young actor and drag artist" who appeared recently in the Slow Burn Theatre Co's production of "Mary Poppins." We discuss balancing regular work with nightlife, the power of owning one's femininity and the state of being a drag performer in South Florida. As a tap dancer, singer, actor, we also track Benjamin's journey in both theater and performing as the high concept drag character Suzie Toot.

Next to Normal: Zap Me Up, Doc! | Absent Friends

Showbiz, baby! Sam and I discuss our triple theater weekend with "Next to Normal" with "Tosca" and "Gypsy." Sadly, Sam's mic cut out for the first half of the recording but he comes back in around 5:00 minutes. Note: There is a lot of discussion around mental illness, suicide and some heavy topics that we kinda make light of because it's a way to like, cope. If the show isn't total maudlin, neither is this podcast. Find the light in the darkness, etc, etc. Follow JD: @wtlgo_mag [https://www.instagram.com/wtlgo_mag/] & https://wtlgomag.com [https://wtlgomag.com ] Follow Sam: @Samloet [https://www.instagram.com/samloet/] & https://floridazodiac.substack.com/ [https://floridazodiac.substack.com/]

A Doll's House Pt. 2: The Original Girlboss | Absent Friends

This play has everything. Victorian era costumes. Vogue beats. Neon colored projection mapping. Torvald??? Gablestage's A Doll's House Pt. 2 is an enigmatic production of Lucas Hnath's play that revisits Nora's story after the iconic scene where she closes the door, leaving her husband and family behind. Sam and I chat about the original Ibsen play and what the Scott Rudin produced show meant in 2018. Follow JD at @wtlgo_mag and Sam at @samloet.

Wicked: It's Good to See Me, Yuh. | Absent Friends

*Ari voice* Yuh. Sam and I have been away for a minute seeing theatre separately, everything from "Honeymoon in Vegas" to an immersive "Beauty and the Beast." But we got back together to see the second national tour of "Wicked," one of my all time favorite shows. In this episode we discuss everything from fabulous old gals in LaDuca Louboutins, Ari becoming a witch, and the idea of wickedness in our modern world.

Tina: The Wig Was Singing At Me | Absent Friends

Rolling on the river right into 2023, in this episode Sam and I review the raucous bio-musical "Tina" at the Broward Center. With incredible songs, incredible costume changes, this was truly one of the best times we have ever had at the theater. We even get into Tina Turner's larger pop culture impact beyond the stage in TV and film.