Advertise on podcast: Stage Door, a theatre podcast hosted by two average guys. Hosted by: Kyle Omlor, Thom Ovacek, Ron Ma

If you’re in the mood for romance, comedy, and music that’ll be stuck in your head for days, this one’s for you. Toledo Opera is bringing the feel-good favorite The Elixir of Love to the Valentine Theatre on February 13 and 15, 2026, and it’s packed with charm, heart, and plenty of laughs. This classic comedy by Gaetano Donizetti follows a lovable underdog who’s convinced the only way to win true love is with the help of a not-so-mystical “love potion.” Spoiler alert: things don’t go exactly as planned , and that’s where the fun really starts. Conducted by J. Ernest Green, this production blends gorgeous music with playful storytelling, making it a perfect pick whether you’re an opera regular or just opera-curious. Grab a date, grab a friend, or just grab a seat — this is one night at the theater guaranteed to leave you smiling. Tickets: https://tolo-internet.choicecrm.net/dist/#/events

Still Talking, with Book of Days. Sometimes there's a lot more stuff to talk about after the "stop recording" button has been pushed. Here is just a little post⁣ ⁣ Spotify:⁣ https://open.spotify.com/show/214M4OKBbWcDivndnc2MTu⁣ ⁣ Apple Podcasts:⁣ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stage-door-a-theatre-podcast-hosted-by-two-regular-guys/id1573865415⁣

We had a great time sitting down with Trevor and Marissa from Black Swamp Players to talk about their upcoming production of Book of Days, and why this play still hits close to home.⁣ ⁣ Set in a small Missouri town, Book of Days starts with a mysterious death at a local cheese plant and quickly unravels into something much bigger. Part mystery, part dark comedy, the story digs into what happens when a community is forced to face uncomfortable truths it would rather ignore. We talk about the play’s sharp humor, layered characters, and why Lanford Wilson’s writing continues to feel timely decades later.⁣ ⁣ If you love theater that makes you laugh, lean forward, and think a little harder on the way home, this conversation is for you.⁣ ⁣ Book of Days runs February 20–22 and February 27–March 1.⁣ Tickets available at: https://www.onthestage.tickets/black-swamp-players

Still Talking, with The Odd Couple: Sometimes there's a lot more stuff to talk about after the "stop recording" button has been pushed. Here is just a little post⁣ ⁣ Spotify:⁣ https://open.spotify.com/show/214M4OKBbWcDivndnc2MTu⁣ ⁣ Apple Podcasts:⁣ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stage-door-a-theatre-podcast-hosted-by-two-regular-guys/id1573865415⁣

Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple is back on stage at Oregon Community Theatre, and this episode brings together the two directors making it happen. We’re joined by Nancy Wright and Tony Esposito to talk about directing the female and male versions of this iconic comedy, what makes the story endure, and how each production brings its own energy, rhythm, and laughs to the stage.⁣ ⁣ The Odd Couple runs February 13–15 and February 20–22, 2026, and audiences can experience both versions during the run. Whether you’re a longtime theatre fan or just love smart comedy, this conversation is a great way to get excited for a classic done two different ways.⁣ ⁣ Tickets: https://octshows.org/2026-winter-the-odd-couple/⁣

This week, we’re joined by Maya Lagerstam from the National Tour of SHUCKED, the corn-fed, corn-bred musical comedy everyone’s stalkin’ about. Fresh off Broadway and headed to The Stranahan (Jan. 20–25, 2026), SHUCKED is the laugh-out-loud, country-fueled musical critics can’t stop raving about. With a score by Grammy Award–winning hitmakers Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (yes, the minds behind Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”), SHUCKED blends sharp New York comedy with Nashville swagger to create something totally original. We talk with Maya about life on the road, what makes this show hit so hard with audiences, and why a musical about corn somehow manages to be hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly hopeful. Called “more hilarious than any show since The Book of Mormon” and “totally original, unexpected, and brilliant,” SHUCKED is turning musical theater on its ear, one perfectly timed punchline at a time. If you love big laughs, great music, and shows that don’t take themselves too seriously, this episode (and this musical) is for you. SHUCKED plays The Stranahan Jan. 20–25, 2026. Tickets available now.

Avenue Q starts with a fresh-faced Princeton showing up on a slightly questionable NYC street, and somehow ends up tackling jobs, relationships, racism, internet habits, and the search for meaning, all with puppets standing right next to humans like this is completely normal. In this episode, the cast and crew of Stone Productions’ Avenue Q talk through what it’s like working on a show that looks playful, sounds catchy, and then immediately asks you to confront very adult truths. The conversation covers the strange brilliance of telling serious stories with felt characters, the challenge of balancing humor with honesty, and why this Tony Award–winning musical still lands as sharply today as it did in 2004. There’s plenty of laughter, a little self-awareness, and no shortage of appreciation for a show that proves you can sing about unemployment, relationships, and finding your place in the world, and somehow make it unforgettable.

We sat down with Aubrey and Liv for something we don’t do nearly enough: a real post-show reflection.Months after Six the Musical closed, we got back together to honestly break it all down: what worked, what didn’t, what surprised them, and what they’d absolutely do differently next time. Aubrey, who produced and directed the show, and Liv, one of the performers, brought two very different but equally important perspectives to the table.Less hype, more truth. Less “what we hope happens,” more “what actually happened.”

We sat down with Aubrey and Liv for something we don’t do nearly enough: a real post-show reflection.Months after Six the Musical closed, we got back together to honestly break it all down: what worked, what didn’t, what surprised them, and what they’d absolutely do differently next time. Aubrey, who produced and directed the show, and Liv, one of the performers, brought two very different but equally important perspectives to the table.Less hype, more truth. Less “what we hope happens,” more “what actually happened.”

In this episode, we talk with Jane Atwood of Atwood Music Studio about her holistic approach to vocal coaching and performance. Jane helps singers of all skill levels build strong, healthy voices by focusing on posture, breath support, resonance, diction, music literacy, interpretation, and vocal health. Her student-centered teaching style begins with understanding each singer’s goals and creating a personalized path for growth in a supportive, encouraging environment. Whether you sing professionally or for personal fulfillment, this conversation offers insight into developing confidence, artistry, and long-term vocal strength.

Join hosts Thom and Kyle as they sit down with the creative minds behind Like You: A New Musical : writer/composer Tyler Milicic and composer/orchestrator Charles Ligus : for an in-depth, heartfelt conversation about bringing this original work to life. Like You tells the story of Evan and his new foster family as each person navigates themes of self-acceptance, love, and the meaning of found family. With 22 original songs and 14 named roles, it’s a musical that’s both expansive and deeply personal, offering something every listener can connect to. Four years after its initial conception, Tyler and Charles are nearing the finish line of their original concept album, recorded in top-tier studios with an incredible lineup of Northeast Ohio performers (and one standout drummer from across the globe). In this episode, they share the journey from early drafts to orchestrations to the final recording sessions, along with the challenges, surprises, and joy found along the way. Listen to the concept album recording on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_39HUoX3oc4ck_QmmNR_xXCkdq0Ak0-b A story about family, identity, creativity, and community — told by the artists who built it from the ground up. Tune in and discover the heart behind Like You.

College Auditions for Theatre Majors: Do you, or someone you know, want to go to college for Theatre? This is the episode for you. Kyle sits down with three moms, of boys, who just finished the process, and who are in the middle of it all. Loads and loads of information for everyone to absorb. What you need to start doing right now, what you probably didn't even know to ask, and so much more.  It's a long episode, full of great information, but we still didn't cover it all. So if you have questions, please send them our way. You can message us through our Facebook page, or through Instagram. 

What happens when one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters refuses to accept her tragic fate? In this episode, we sit down with Lois Ellise, who makes her National Tour debut in the smash hit musical & JULIET, playing Susanna, serving as swing, and understudying Juliet herself. Lois shares how her BFA training from Central Michigan University prepared her for the whirlwind life of a touring performer, what it feels like to step into a show that flips one of the world’s most famous love stories on its head, and why & JULIET has become one of Broadway’s most talked-about new musicals. December 16–21, 2025. The Stranahan Theatre Tickets can be purchased at BroadwayinToledo.com or StranahanTheater.com.

his week on Stage Door, we’re joined by two special guests from Children’s Theatre Workshop’s Teen Company to dive into their upcoming production of Urinetown the Musical. We unpack everything that makes this show a fan-favorite: the razor-sharp satire, the over-the-top characters, and the hilariously bleak world where you literally have to pay for “The Privilege to Pee.” Our guests share what it’s been like bringing these roles to life—from the earnest hero Bobby Strong, to the tough-as-nails Penelope Pennywise, to the ever-watchful Officer Lockstock, and how the cast is balancing comedy, commentary, and chaos in this high-energy production. We’ll talk rehearsal stories, favorite musical moments, why this dystopian tale feels more relevant than ever, and what audiences can expect when CTW’s Teen Company hits the stage. Don’t miss Urinetown the MusicalDecember 12 & 13 at 7pm December 14 at 2pm Tune in, laugh along, and get the inside scoop before the revolution begins!

Get ready for a Christmas classic like you’ve never seen it before! Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Genoa Christmas Show transforms Dickens’ timeless tale into a hilarious, music-filled celebration of community and holiday spirit, set right here at the Genoa Civic Theatre. Written by Gordon Greenberg and directed by Jeremiah Tudor, this gut-busting, family-friendly production weaves local Genoa touches, familiar faces, and festive fun into a night you won’t want to miss. Catch Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Genoa Christmas Show live on December 5, 2025, from 7:30–9:30 PM at the Genoa Civic Theatre. Get your tickets here: genoacivictheatre.com/event-details/ebenezer-scrooges-big-genoa-christmas-show-12-07-2025