Broadway Press Day with Ruthie Fierberg

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Schmigadoon!’ orchestrator Mike Morris

Orchestrator Mike Morris made his Broadway debut just a few weeks ago with the Main Stem premiere of “Schmigadoon!” And now, Morris is a 2026 Tony Award nominee for Best Orchestrations alongside co-orchestrator Doug Besterman. Here, Morris explains on behalf of himself and his creative partner the unique and often hidden challenges — from choosing the instruments in the orchestra to designating the specific way those instruments would be played — of orchestrating this big heaping of a Broadway musical. Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee/] and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway. Find more about “Schmigadoon!” here [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/schmigadoon/].

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Chess’ star Bryce Pinkham

Bryce Pinkham wasn’t initially trained as a musical theater actor. Pinkham studied at the Yale School of Drama and expected he’d build a career performing in straight plays. Well, Broadway had other plans. Pinkham made his Broadway name in musicals, especiall with his Tony Award-nominated turn in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” This season, Pinkham brings more musical theater acumen to the role of the Arbiter in the revival of “Chess.” Below, the actor explains his familial connection to the musical, his specific take on the Arbiter and more. Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee/] and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway. Get more info about “Chess” here [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/chess/].

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Fallen Angels’ designer David Rockwell

Scenic designer and architect David Rockwell designed his 36th Broadway show this season: “Fallen Angels.” His concept for the revival of Noël Coward’s farce has earned Rockwell his seventh Tony Award nomination. Of all the sets Rockwell has designed, he told Broadway News that “Fallen Angels” was the most challenging — making the nomination all the sweeter. Here, Rockwell describes the calculated research he conducted to create the 1920s Art Deco set, and he points out the feminine-inspired architectural details for this female-driven comedy. Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee/] and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Schmigadoon!’ designer Walter Trarbach

Sound designer Walter Trarbach made his Broadway debut as the associate sound designer for 2004’s “700 Sundays.” His first lead design credit was 2007’s “Cymbeline,” and his first Tony Award nomination was for 2017’s “SpongeBob SquarePants.” It’s worth noting that the categories for Best Sound Design have been in and out of contention for Tony Awards during the years of Trarbach’s career. Here, Trarbach reveals the techniques he used to make the “Schmigadoon!” orchestra sound larger than it is, to pay homage to the Golden Age of musicals and to let the music and sound of “Schmigadoon!” soar. Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee/] and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway. Learn more about “Schmigadoon!” here [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/schmigadoon/].

5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Waiting for Godot’ actor Brandon J. Dirden

Brandon J. Dirden has been acting on Broadway for almost 20 years, and this season he has earned his first Tony Award nomination. Dirden was recognized for his performance as Pozzo in “Waiting for Godot.” In this episode, Dirden discusses his process of crafting this bombastic character in the Samuel Beckett classic. Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/5-minutes-with-a-tony-nominee/] and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway. Get more info about “Waiting for Godot” here [https://www.broadwaynews.com/tag/waiting-for-godot/].