Advertise on podcast: 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

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

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 You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠⁠, follow ⁠⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit 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 You can find me on Instagram⁠⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠⁠, follow ⁠⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit 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 Broadway Bares You can find me on Instagram⁠ @kerrybutler1⁠ and TikTok ⁠@kerrybutlernyc⁠. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at ⁠kerrybutlercoach.com⁠, follow ⁠@kerrybutlercoach⁠ on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RJ Magee has worked as a manager and casting director for ten years. RJ Gave us great insight on how to build your career, how to get an agent, and what steps you can take on your own to be proactive in this business. Part 2 of 2. Richard (RJ) Magee is a professional educator, talent manager, casting director, actor, and director. He is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midwestern State University in Texas. He is also the Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC, where his client bookings have included top regional theaters, national tours, Broadway, television, and commercials. Additionally, his credits as a casting director (RJ Magee Casting) include Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Theality TV (streaming on Revry, YouTube, and Broadway On Demand), Flaviar (celebrity casting: Stephen Soderbergh, Carlos Mencia, Marc Summers, Aisha Tyler), and more. As an actor, his performance work has been seen at Arizona Broadway, Round Barn Theatre, Black Rock Theater, The Great American Melodrama, Tibbits, Roxy Regional, Dollywood Entertainment, and more. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, he also holds a BA from Temple University and an MFA from Minnesota State University, Mankato. RJ recently concluded a 9-month contract as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting at Longwood University (home of the 2016 Vice Presidential debate). You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RJ Magee has worked as a manager and casting director for ten years. RJ Gave us great insight on how to build your career, how to get an agent, and what steps you can take on your own to be proactive in this business. Part 1 of 2. Richard (RJ) Magee is a professional educator, talent manager, casting director, actor, and director. He is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Midwestern State University in Texas. He is also the Associate Talent Manager for Baker Management in NYC, where his client bookings have included top regional theaters, national tours, Broadway, television, and commercials. Additionally, his credits as a casting director (RJ Magee Casting) include Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Theality TV (streaming on Revry, YouTube, and Broadway On Demand), Flaviar (celebrity casting: Stephen Soderbergh, Carlos Mencia, Marc Summers, Aisha Tyler), and more. As an actor, his performance work has been seen at Arizona Broadway, Round Barn Theatre, Black Rock Theater, The Great American Melodrama, Tibbits, Roxy Regional, Dollywood Entertainment, and more. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, he also holds a BA from Temple University and an MFA from Minnesota State University, Mankato. RJ recently concluded a 9-month contract as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting at Longwood University (home of the 2016 Vice Presidential debate). You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelsie Watts shares how she used TikTok to help build her career as a performing artist - and how it has been transitioning from concerts to doing 8 shows a week in Six on Broadway. Kelsie Watts is a vocalist, songwriter, and independent recording artist who first gained national recognition as a contestant on The Voice Season 19, where she landed on Team Kelly Clarkson. Known for blending pop and theatrical influences, she has built a strong following through social media and original music. In 2025, she made her Broadway debut as Jane Seymour in Six. A strong advocate for mental health awareness, she uses her platform to encourage self-care and resilience in the entertainment industry. Follow Kelsie Watts on IG: @kelsiewattsmusic You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You'll love this episode with Ali Stroker, someone who really hasn’t let anything stop her. Even though no one in a wheelchair had ever been nominated for a Tony award, or even been on Broadway, she still let herself dream! (And win the Tony award!!!) Hear this incredibly inspiring episode about how she doesn’t take no for an answer. She finds ways to turn no’s into yes’s! I left this episode feeling so moved and inspired!   Follow Ali Stroker on Instagram @alistroker You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roger Bart, one of the funniest people on Broadway, joins us this week. I really wanted to know how he approaches comedic roles- like Doc in Back to the future. He tells us all about his technique to finding the funny.   ROGER BART Originated the role of Doc Brown in Back to The Future in London and on Broadway. Broadway: The Producers (Tony, Drama Desk nominations); Young Frankenstein; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Tony, Drama Desk Awards); The Frogs; Disaster!; Triumph of Love; Big River. Film: Trumbo, American Gangster, The Stepford Wives, The Producers, Hostel Part II, singing voice of Disney's Hercules "Go the Distance." Television: "Desperate Housewives," "Revenge," "Good Trouble," "A Series of Unfortunate Events," "How I Met Your Mother." For my brother, Randy. Follow Roger Bart on Instagram: @rogerbartofficial You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friends and castmates, Laura Bell Bundy & Marissa Jaret Winokur join me for a special announcement about our show Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now! We also talk about Marissa's career journey, audition songs, and memories from Hairspray. Marissa Jaret Winokur is perhaps best known for creating the role of “Tracy Turnblad” in the Broadway musical Hairspray, winning a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a musical. Marissa was crowned winner of the inaugural season of “Celebrity Big Brother”, and danced her way into the hearts of America on the hit series “Dancing with the Stars”, making it all the way to the Final 4! Marissa can currently be seen on many hit shows including newly Emmy nominated “What We Do In The Shadows”, “Bupkis”, “So Help Me Todd”, “Clone High”and streaming on Netflix movies “Feel the Beat“ and“Trouble". She recently returned to The Hollywood Bowl to star in Kinky Boots alongside Wayne Brady , and “Beauty and The Beast “ with Rebel Wilson and Taye Diggs.  Marissa has recently Shifted into Directing , her last Show ICE CATS starring Alli Miller topped the awards at LA Fringe and is now in TV development . She is also gearing up to direct the feature film BALI HIGH, a romantic traumedy starring Ashley Argota and Mick Torres.  Marissa and her husband, comedy writer Judah Miller Split their time between NY and LA with their son Zev (when he's not playing Tennis) and they’re 2 labradoodles. Marissa is a cancer survivor and is passionate about educating woman on cancer awareness and works closely with STAND UP TO CANCER Instagram @marissajaretwinokur Twitter @marissajwinokur Laura Bell Bundy is a Tony nominated Broadway actress and Billboard top 5 recording artist. Bundy made her debut at age 9 in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, since then she has originated the stage roles: Tina in Ruthless (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations), Amber in Broadway’s Hairspray, most notably Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical  where she received a Tony Nomination, and Sylvia in Broadway’s The Cottage. She also took a turn as Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. Bundy has recorded multiple albums as a Universal Music Group & Big Machine Label artist which garnered her a CMT nomination, and a Billboard Top Five Album. Her latest album Women of Tomorrow released by ONErpm thematically tackles the double standards so many women face today reaching over 3 million streams across streaming platforms. The companion podcast of the same name on Broadway Podcast Network dives deeper into the history of each of the issues, and the community and app gives women the tools to be empowered in all areas of their lives. Women Of Tomorrow foundation’s concerts and events have raised over $200K for female causes in the New York area. Instagram @laurabellbundy & @womxnoftomorrow Twitter @laurabellbundy Tik Tok @laurabellbundy You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Lenz created In The Works- In The Woods. I always tell young actors to try to get in on the ground level of new shows- here is your chance! In The Works is a like a summer camp for creatives! There is an opportunity to create your own work, or audition to be in a new show, or go see a work in progress! Listen for all the info!   Matt Lenz is a New York-based theatre director whose career has spanned the globe. He has directed plays and musicals in North America, the UK, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Singapore, and India. Currently, Matt is at the helm of Broadway tours in the US, Canada, and China. His impressive body of work includes collaborations with many of the brightest stars and most renowned theatre makers in the industry. Matt is a member of the SDC, a long-time teaching artist for the Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Founding Artistic Director of the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival of new plays and musicals in upstate New York.  You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danya Taymor just directed her first big Broadway musical, The Outsiders, and got nominated for a Tony! She tells us all about the casting process, what draws her to a certain actor, and gives great advice on how to start your career and break into Broadway!   Danya Taymor is a Tony-award nominated and Obie-award winning New York based director, writer and translator. Recent direction includes the musical adaptation of THE OUTSIDERS (Tony Award nomination and Drama Desk Award nomination), and the Broadway production of Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's PASS OVER. Other recent work: Rachel Bonds' JONAH (Roundabout), Will Arbery's HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING (Playwrights Horizons) and Jeremy O. Harris' "DADDY" (Almeida, London and New Group/Vineyard). Her production of PASS OVER was filmed in collaboration with Spike Lee and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Now streaming on Amazon Prime. You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Musician, composer, and writer, Henry Koperski, joins Reeve Carney and Jeanine Tesori in our final installment of the live interviews from The Broadway Cruise. Henry Koperski is a composer, writer, and music director based out of Los Angeles. He has composed for stage and screen, and has scores and songs featured on Netflix, Audible and Showtime. The New York Times has called him “the connective tissue” of the NYC music/comedy scene (where he performed regularly from 2012-2020). As a music director, he often works with Alan Cumming, Ari Shapiro, Matt Rogers and Matteo Lane.  Follow Henry Koperski on Instagram: @henkiskidu You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeanine Tesori talks casting, piano training, writing and more! She gives great advice on auditioning, and what she looks for in the room in part two of The Broadway Cruise! Jeanine Tesori is an American composer and music arranger, best known for her work in the theater. Tesori began her Broadway career as a dance music arranger for the 1995 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. She went on to compose the scores for the musicals Violet, Caroline, or Change, Shrek the Musical, Fun Home, Soft Power, and Kimberly Akimbo. Her work is known for its emotional depth, its lyrical brilliance, and its innovative musical style. Tesori has also composed music for several films and television shows, including Nights in Rodanthe, Every Day, and You're Not You. She is a recipient of the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award. You can find me on Instagram @kerrybutler1 and TikTok @kerrybutlernyc. For coaching and teaching, visit my website at kerrybutlercoach.com, follow @kerrybutlercoach on Instagram, or email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices