Breaking Broadway with Kerry Butler

Are you an actor tired of waiting for permission to make great art? In this episode, Michael Breslin, Patrick Foley, and Rory Pelsue share how they turned passion projects with friends into powerful, produced theater. From Circle Jerk to Last Bimbo if the Apocalypse , they talk about building creative teams, writing for yourself, and navigating the logistics of producing without losing the joy. Whether you’re fresh out of school or years into your career, this conversation will inspire you to start making the work you wish existed—and to do it with people you trust and love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Lester—star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series , Tony-nominated breakout from Into the Woods and currently starring in my new favorite tv show- The Four Seasons.   Julia opens up about the wild ride of growing up in a showbiz family, facing rejection even after big wins, and how trusting her instincts led to her most unforgettable roles. It’s a conversation about resilience, comedic timing, and the power of staying true to your weird, wonderful self—on and off stage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Tony winner, Beth Leavel, shares everything from audition songs, tips to creating moments in shows like Old Friends, to how she almost didn't get cast in The Drowsy Chaperone. Tony Winner Beth Leavel was seen in 2024 on Broadway in the role of The Baroness in Lempicka. In 2025 she is in the Broadway cast of Sondheim's Old Friends. She was nominated for a 2019 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critic’s Circle award for her performance as DeeDee Allen in the critically acclaimed Broadway show The Prom. She received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It’s You. Other Broadway roles include Mrs. June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Numerous TV, most recently The Ghosts of Christmas Always (Hallmark), The Walking Dead (AMC), and The Bite (Spectrum). Beth’s one-woman cabaret, It’s Not About Me, has played across the country to rave reviews and sold out venues. In her spare time, Leavel gives back and teaches master classes for students all over the world. MFA from UNC-G. Visit bethleavel.net [https://www.bethleavel.net/] You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutler1/] and TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kerrybutlernyc/]. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://www.kerrybutlercoach.com/], follow ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutlercoach/] on Instagram, or email me at kerrybutlercoach@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Follow Fina's career from child actor in Matilda The Musical to her Tony nomination for John Proctor is the Villain. Hear about her unique process when taking on new projects and more! Fina Strazza- Broadway: Matilda in Matilda the Musical. Off-Broadway: Animal, A Loss of Roses, Member of the Wedding. TV: “Paper Girls” (series lead), “Law and Order: SVU” (recurring), “Madam Secretary,” “FBI: Most Wanted” “Last Week Tonight.” A student at NYU’s Tisch, her eight films include Above the Shadows, A Christmas Melody (recording “Oh, Santa!” with director Mariah Carey), and Netflix’s upcoming “Fear Street: Prom Queen.” Follow Fina Strazza on Instagram @finastrazza [https://www.instagram.com/finastrazza/] You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutler1/] and TikTok ⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kerrybutlernyc/]. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠ [http://www.kerrybutlercoach.com/], follow ⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutlercoach/] on Instagram, or email me at kerrybutlercoach@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

We have "full-out" amazing choreographer & director, Jerry Mitchell with us! Jerry tells us all things Boop! The Musical, what to do and what not to do at those dance calls, and great tips on how to make it on Broadway! JERRY MITCHELL (Director/Choreographer) was nominated for the Tony Award for his choreography for Boop!, having previously received this Award twice—for the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots (for which he was also Tony nominated for Best Director) and the revival of La Cage aux Folles. Prior to Boop!, Jerry directed and choreographed Pretty Woman for Broadway and the West End, after directing the Gloria Estefan musical, On Your Feet!, for Broadway and the West End. Jerry was nominated for an Olivier Award for his choreography in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which he also directed and co-produced in London. Currently, he is the director and choreographer of Elton John’s The Devil Wears Prada on the West End. In the 35 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with more than 50 Broadway, West End and touring productions. His Broadway debut as Choreographer, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nominated), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nominated, NBC Live), Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance (Tony nominated), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nominated), La Cage aux Folles, Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nominated, which he also directed on Broadway and in London), Catch Me If You Can and Kinky Boots. For film, Jerry created memorable dance sequences for Scent Of A Woman, The Object Of My Affection, In and Out and Drop Dead Gorgeous, among others. Thirty or so years ago, Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, for which he was recognized in the form of a third Tony Award in 2023. Follow Jerry Mitchell on Instagram @jammyprod [https://www.instagram.com/jammyprod/?hl=en] Broadway Bares [https://broadwaycares.org/category/post-event/broadway-bares/] You can find me on Instagram⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutler1/] and TikTok ⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kerrybutlernyc/]. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠ [http://www.kerrybutlercoach.com/], follow ⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kerrybutlercoach/] on Instagram, or email me at kerrybutlercoach@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]