BGR's Backstage Buzz

BGR's Backstage Buzz: Disney's The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King is roaring into Grand Rapids and this is your insider look at one of Broadway’s most breathtaking productions. For three unforgettable weeks, April 8 through April 26, 2026, the globally celebrated musical takes over DeVos Performance Hall, bringing the Pride Lands to life in a way you’ve never experienced before.  In this episode, Steve Steketee  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesteketee]and Jennifer Pascua [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/] chat with Danny Grumich [https://www.instagram.com/danny.grumich] (Pumbaa)  and Darlene Drew, a Flutist and a Grand Rapidian. Plus, we  play a game of Name This Tune with Thembelihle Cele [https://www.instagram.com/lihlecele91](Nala) and Gilbert Domally [https://www.instagram.com/gtdomally] (Simba).  Meanwhile, we're excited to host a special Community Night ahead of the performance on Thursday, April 16.  We get a sneak peek at what activities John Ball Zoo [https://jbzoo.org/], Grand Rapids Children's Museum  [https://www.grcm.org/]and Playground GR [https://theplaygroundgr.org/home] intend to provide to our patrons For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com  Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer [https://www.linkedin.com/company/meijer] and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fifth-third-bank].  Show Sponsors: BISSELL, Inc. [https://www.bissell.com/], MillerKnoll Foundation [https://www.millerknoll.com/environmental-social-impact/community-impact], National Heritage Academies, [https://www.nhaschools.com/]and PNC Bank [https://www.pnc.com/].

BGR's Backstage Buzz: & JULIET

What if Juliet didn’t end it all for Romeo? In this episode, we dive into & Juliet, [https://grandrapids.broadway.com/shows/juliet/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23463857727&gbraid=0AAAAAD9zq3vyMQsL-bzrMYGfBEz91eFOl&gclid=Cj0KCQiAk6rNBhCxARIsAN5mQLvEBRVvrRoBgZY0jOlJEtSTZzqIDOv4UPUchykuUSva-HnfoNlUPOUaAm3XEALw_wcB] the hit musical that flips the script on one of the most famous love stories ever told. Created by the Emmy®-winning writer behind Schitt’s Creek, the show imagines what happens next if Juliet chooses her own ending instead of tragedy.  In this episode, Steve Steketee  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesteketee] talks with Noah Marlow [https://www.instagram.com/noah.marlowe] who plays François in the show. Jennifer Pascua [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/] gets Fabiola Carballo Quijada [https://www.instagram.com/fabiolaacq] (Juliet) and Kathryn Allison [https://www.instagram.com/kathryndallison] (Angelique) to play along in an & Juliet Name this Tune game.  Meanwhile, we also get to know what Arbor Circle [https://arborcircle.org/]is doing for LBGTQ youth and how you can engage with the orgranization at the show, thanks to Director of Community Engagement, Janelle Burden Hill  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelleburdenhill] & JULIET hits the stage at DeVos Performance Hall March 10-15 For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com  Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer [https://www.linkedin.com/company/meijer] and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fifth-third-bank].  Show Sponsors- Fox Motors [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fox-motors/], Miller Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/company/miller-johnson/] and Trinity Health.  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/trinityhealth/]

BGR's Backstage Buzz: 26-27 Season Reveal

Listen in to the Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/] and Steve Steketee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesteketee/] in conversation with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-christ-distel/]+ Bob Bucci, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-bucci-2806964b/] President of Marketing and Content at Broadway Across America, our presenting partner about the reveal of the 26-27 season lineup:  * Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen * The Notebook * Maybe Happy Ending * Disney's Beauty and the Beast * Death Becomes Her * Phantom of the Opera * Six Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank [https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en.html]and Season Sponsor Meijer [https://www.meijer.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvyjujmqQ-A8Tr_s90JCrA4DG-AfN0dO_49ulA9r6lKTChSjqboT8V6xoCDKAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds].

BGR's Backstage Buzz: Kimberly Akimbo

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, [https://kimberlyakimboontour.com/] winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is an original new musical about growing up and growing old in no particular order. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure. In this episode, Jennifer Pascua [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/] and Steve Steketee  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesteketee] takes time to hear from cast member Sarah Lynn Marion [https://www.instagram.com/sarahlynnmarion] who is a Swing on her first National Tour. She's also a University of Michigan Grad who was a previous Jimmy Winner! Hear about her journey to the big stage and  Meanwhile, we'll also celebrate some milestones with our community partner Make A Wish Michigan [https://wish.org/michigan]. Ellie Wilcox [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellieandrus/] is the Senior Director of Impact Giving and shares some pretty special stories that (like the show) is full of hope, humor and heart. Kimberly Akimbo plays at DeVos Performance Hall January 27-February 3.  For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com  Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank.  Show Sponsors- Corewell Health and The Waters Center

BGR's Backstage Buzz: The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon [https://grandrapids.broadway.com/shows/the-book-of-mormon/] is a Season Option and in this episode, Jennifer Pascua [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/] and Steve Steketee  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesteketee] takes time to hear from actor Kevin T. Mazur [https://www.instagram.com/kevintmazur] who is a Swing on the National Tour. He's also a Michigan native who graduated from MSU! (Go Green! Go White!) Learn about his journey and how he scores in our first-ever "Name This Tune" quiz.  Meanwhile, we'll also get to know our Broadway Grand Rapids Ambassadors a little bit more. April Butler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-butler-782b3b8/] and Steve Steketee share their love for theatre and how it started right here in West Michigan.  The Book of Mormon runs November 4-9, 2025 at DeVos Performance Hall.  For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com