Exclusive Interview: Sara Grice and Kevin Starnes of Nicely Theatre Group's 'Oliver!'

Exclusive Interview: Sara Grice and Kevin Starnes of Nicely Theatre Group's 'Oliver!'

While many of us may have heard the name Oliver Twist, how many are familiar with his story? Originally published as a serial in the mid-19th century by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist tells the tale of a young orphan who joins a gang of juvenile pickpockets and ultimately finds his family. It's a dark tale brimming with light that has found life outside the pages of a book, as in the musical Oliver! The stage production debuted in the early 1960's, winning three Tony Awards and eventually spawning a film that earned similar accolades. It's this incredible show and the just-as-impactful story that are coming to the Berman Center of the Performing Arts with Nicely Theatre Group's production of Oliver! We had the pleasure of speaking with two of the cast members, Sara Grice and Kevin Starnes, about what audiences can expect when the curtains come up! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Grice and Starnes talk about their previous relationship with the show material prior to the show and what it's like to be a part of the latest production from Nicely Theatre Group! How does Oliver! differ from some of the other productions they've been a part of? What's their favorite song from the production? And how exactly are they embodying these characters? Give this exciting interview a listen to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BoxSeatBabes] For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider [https://www.bsbinsider.com/] Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bsb.insider]!

'The Music Man' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast

Do you hear that sound coming down the road? Faint at first but gaining volume with each passing moment, as something comes into focus. A parade of red plumes and shiny brass, indicating the approach of a marching band! It must be the North American touring production of The Music Man, coming to a city near you! This classic show recently came to the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI, with a production that captured what makes this show iconic. However, how do the music and stagecraft hold up against the story of The Music Man? Well, that's just what we're about to explore in this part two discussion of The Music Man! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko explore the soaring ballads and impressive choreography of this touring production! Which of the songs really captured their attention, while others fell flat? What about the stagecraft really captured their hearts, and what made them wish for the show to end? Which of the performers stood out amongst the crowd? And most importantly, why does Brian love a funky horn solo so much? We'll get to the bottom of all these questions and more in this exciting new podcast episode! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BoxSeatBabes] For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider [https://www.bsbinsider.com/] Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bsb.insider]!

'The Music Man' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

When's the last time you hitched a ride on the Wells Fargo wagon and hightailed it out of the big city for life in a small town? No, we're not talking literally, but more so about when the last time you've seen The Music Man! With the recent Broadway revival a few seasons ago, there's been renewed interest in the show, with a North American touring production kicking off recently! The tale of Harold Hill arrived at The Fox Theatre here in Detroit, MI, recently, and we had the pleasure of reacquainting ourselves with the iconic story of yesteryear! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko are deep-diving into the story and characters of The Music Man, exploring how their relationship with the material has changed over the years! While Brian's real adventure with The Music Man was with the Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster-led Broadway production, RJ has had a much longer history with the show. What do these two remember of their past experiences, and what was it like to see it on a stage here in Detroit? Were there any characters that stood out to them or any stories that resonated differently now that they're both adults? Give this episode a listen to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BoxSeatBabes] For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider [https://www.bsbinsider.com/] Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bsb.insider]!

'Romeo + Juliet' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo? A simple question some might be asking themselves, as we just found the young man from Verona on Broadway with his beautiful Juliet, in the recent revival of Romeo + Juliet. While the story itself is largely intact, as is the language in which it is spoken, there's a new life in this classic William Shakespeare tale of love and woe. Featuring music from Jack Antonoff and directed by Sam Gold, Romeo + Juliet arrived at Circle in the Square Theatre in what might be the wildest reimagination that we've seen so far. So what exactly did you think of the Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor-led Romeo + Juliet? In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the story and characters within this revival of Romeo + Juliet. Having read this play back in high school, did our favorite characters remain the same from our adolescence, or did we find ourselves aligned with others? Is there anything about the story that spoke to us in a different way, almost a decade after it was originally introduced to us? And are Romeo and Juliet just theater kids way before their time? That last one is a given, as the drama is impeccable. Check out this fun episode to discover just what was going on in the latest take on Shakespeare's most well-known love story...we mean tragedy. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BoxSeatBabes] For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider [https://www.bsbinsider.com/] Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bsb.insider]!

The 79th Tony Awards | The BSB Podcast

In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down all the excitement (and perhaps a bit of disappointment) from the 79th Tony Awards! From the shows that swept their categories to the wins that shocked everyone, there's so much to discuss from this year's Tony Awards! Did your favorite show take home the gold? Which of the shows had devastating losses? Which performances were showstoppers, and which had us scratching our heads? How many arial flips did Pink! do while hosting at Radio City Music Hall? And what's coming next in the world of theater here in Michigan, as well as on Broadway proper? We're sharing what's coming in the 2026-2027 theater season! We have all that and more in the exciting podcast episode! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BoxSeatBabes] For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider [https://www.bsbinsider.com/] Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree [https://linktr.ee/bsb.insider]!