Exclusive Interview: Angela VanKempen & Jerry Haines of St. Dunstan's 'Head Over Heels'

Exclusive Interview: Angela VanKempen & Jerry Haines of St. Dunstan's 'Head Over Heels'

Head Over Heels is one of the most delightfully unconventional musicals to reach Broadway in recent years. Set to the infectious hits of The Go-Go’s, the show transforms a 16th-century pastoral romance into a vibrant, contemporary celebration of love, identity, and self-discovery. What could have been a simple jukebox musical becomes something far more inventive: a witty, fast-paced comedy that embraces absurdity while delivering a surprisingly heartfelt message. What truly distinguishes Head Over Heels is its fearless commitment to inclusivity and joy. A joy that was radiating off of the director of St. Dunstan Theatre's production of Head Over Heels, Jerry Haines, and cast member, Angela VanKempen, when we spoke to them about this musical!   In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Haines and VanKempen discuss what drives them about this product and their excitement about bringing it to life. While VanKempen wasn't too familiar with the musical prior to auditioning, Haines has had a deep love for the project since seeing the original Broadway cast in New York City! From a colorful design to the challenges of performing a show like Head Over Heels in an outdoor Greek theatre, there's nothing off-limits in this exciting interview!   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]!

'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is a sparkling, sharply observed musical that proves how much emotional weight can be carried by the lightest of premises. What begins as a whimsical mission to transport a wedding cake across Manhattan unfolds into a richly textured exploration of identity, family, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives. Set against the restless energy of New York City, the show pairs quick-witted dialogue with an infectious score that balances contemporary pop influences and genuine emotional depth. While it was the wild card going into our most recent trip to New York City, it quickly became a BSB Broadway favorite that we still haven't been able to shut up about. In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). As this show only has two actors on stage, unless you count the band, how does Two Strangers build emotional depth? What was it about the story that made Brian cry so profusely? And perhaps, most importantly, do the characters actually manage to successfully carry a cake across New York? Found out those answers and more in this 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]!

Exclusive Interview: Duncan McRae and Jeff Pitts of 'They Will Kill You'

They Will Kill You is the kind of horror-action film that kicks down the door, splashes blood across the walls, and dares you not to have fun. Director Kirill Sokolov's vision is crystal clear, as audiences follow Asia Reaves, a former convict who takes a housekeeping job in a creepy New York apartment building. However, it isn't long until she discovers that its residents are hiding a deadly secret.  The film thrives on its chaotic energy, blending outrageous violence with sharp humor and a fast-moving plot. And perhaps, most importantly, a certain kind of sound... We had a chance to sit down with two of the sound geniuses from Formosa Group, who worked on They Will Kill You, Duncan McRae (re-recording mixer) and Jeff Pitts (supervising sound editor)! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, McRae and Pitts discuss the art of sound design and what it took to bring this particular project to life. Using genres such as anime and 1970s Kung Fu films, these explore how sound not only delivers a narrative but also becomes an integral part of the story. Which scenes and elements proved to be a particularly difficult aspect of They Will Kill You? And just what is it about the film that drew these two in right away? Check out this exciting interview to learn all these answers and more! 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]!

Exclusive Interview: Milika Cheree and Stephanie Wahl of Meadow Brook Theatre's 'Always a Bridesmaid'

There are friendships, there are wedding parties, and then there are the women of Always a Bridesmaid, a group so committed to their friendship that they seem permanently trapped in a cycle of bouquets, bridesmaid dresses, and wedding cake. This show from Jones Hope Wooten proves that while fashions change, hairstyles evolve, and romantic relationships come and go, true friends will always be there to stand beside you at the altar, whether you like it or not. Always a Bridesmaid recently arrived at Meadow Brook Theatre, and we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with two of the cast members from this show, Milika Cheree and Stephanie Wahl! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Stephanie Wahl and Milika Cheree discuss what it's like to return to Meadow Brook Theater for the closing show of this current season! As a straight show brimming with comedy, these two talk about what it's like switching it up from a musical to being on stage with a stellar cast of women. What has been the best part of being a part of this production? Give this 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]!

'Chess' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast

If musical theatre is a game of strategy, then Chess is the intermezzo move. It is the rare musical whose score is so dazzling that it has survived productions that often struggled to match its energy. While directors, producers, and dramaturgs have spent decades trying to solve this puzzle, the music itself has never been the problem. From its thunderous opening chords to its soaring power ballads, the score combines pop sophistication with theatrical sweep in a way few musicals have managed before or since. Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, with lyrics by Tim Rice, Chess sounds as though the arena concert and the Broadway stage had been locked in a room together and somehow emerged as equals.  In this episode of the BSB Podcasts, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the music and score, along with the set, of this recent Broadway revival. Staged as a concert in many ways, with the band right there on stage with the actors, how does this most recent staging of Chess work for the show? Which songs were standouts, and what performances fell a little flat? And perhaps most importantly, is Chess a checkmate? There's so much to talk about this Tony-nominated musical, so join us as we finish our conversation about this Broadway show! 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]!