All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: Cecily Strong and Beck Bennett Go 'All Out' on Broadway

Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively episode of All Of It centers on the new Broadway show All Out: Comedy About Ambition, featuring SNL alumni Cecily Strong and Beck Bennett alongside writer Simon Rich. Hosted by Alison Stewart, the conversation dives into the nature of ambition, the experience of bringing sketch-driven comedy to the Broadway stage, and how performing live for diverse New York audiences shapes the work. The episode weaves together topics of creative process, performer chemistry, and the unique energy of New York’s live theater scene.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to All Out: Comedy About Ambition

• Host Alison Stewart introduces the panel—Cecily Strong, Beck Bennett (both performers), and Simon Rich (creator/writer).
• All Out is described as a Broadway show akin to a series of eclectic, comedic short stories, brought to life by a rotating cast and scored live by the funk band Lawrence.
• The show's premise revolves around ambitious characters, many of whom humorously fall short of success.

Notable Quote:
"It's just something I've always been gravitated to, characters who are very ambitious but don't quite pull it off."
—Simon Rich, 02:19

Timestamps

• [02:08] Introducing the show and guests
• [02:19] Simon Rich on why he chose “ambition”

The Creative Structure of the Show

• Beck Bennett likens the show’s format to "SNL on Broadway":
  • Script-in-hand staging, musical integration, and a sketch-driven structure.
  • The performance is described as loose, energetic, and regularly changing due to rotating performers.
• The band Lawrence not only scores the show but also enhances the rhythm and dynamism, contributing to each night’s freshness.

Notable Quote:
"It's kind of like SNL on Broadway a little bit. It has music. It has these short stories which are like sketches... It's so fun to be like—it's kind of like a musical in that sense."
—Beck Bennett, 03:05

Timestamps

• [03:05] Beck explains the show’s format
• [05:08] Simon Rich on the show’s elasticity and performer individuality

Getting Involved and the Nature of Live Performance

• Cecily Strong joined All Out after loving last year’s "All In: Comedy About Love," even carving time out of filming commitments.
• Beck Bennett joined after an email from his agent and a shared history working with Simon Rich on SNL and Audible projects.
• Both speak to the dynamic nature of live shows, improvisation, and learning the back-and-forth of reading with scripts/books while performing.

Notable Moments:

• [04:10] Cecily Strong jokes about availability now that she’s “not pregnant anymore”
• [04:20] Beck and Cecily riff that "it all starts with an email, folks."

Challenges and Joys of Staging the Show

• Performers discuss the technical aspects of using both scripts and teleprompters onstage—balancing spontaneity with preparedness.
• Cecily notes that with rehearsals and experience, performers grow more comfortable and can loosen up each night, allowing the energy and chemistry to shift.

Notable Quote:
"It's been different every night. It's very exciting. It's what live theater is supposed to be."
—Cecily Strong, 07:44

Timestamps

• [06:33] Beck on taking over another actor’s role and making it his own
• [07:44] Cecily on the learning curve of using the script onstage

Writing for Live Comedy and Emotional Resonance

• Simon Rich reflects on the evolution of his stories—the oldest dating back 20 years, the newest from this past year—and the opportunity to revisit and revise material.
• The stories, though often featuring absurd premises (e.g., Paul Revere’s horse, monkeys, time travelers), are rooted in real emotional experience, often autobiographical or inspired by SNL struggles.

Notable Quote:
"At the end of the day, they're weirdly, very emotionally grounded autobiographical stories for me."
—Simon Rich, 12:26

Performing Ambition and Relating to New York

• Cecily reflects on a story in which she voices "New York City" itself, striking a chord with audiences of all ages.
• The conversation explores the city’s spirit of ambition—how people navigate and persevere through New York’s challenges.
• Beck discusses performing a fresh take on "The Emperor’s New Clothes," enjoying the twist of “gross and sweet” humor.

Notable Quotes:
"It's just everybody can see themselves in it...all of us, especially living in New York, I do think you have to be ambitious. And it's all about, like, what do you put up with in order to be in New York?"
—Cecily Strong, 09:57

"When you try to achieve something in life, even if you achieve what you're going for, there's still a way to be disappointed and feel like you haven't made it... he does that in such a relatable way through these stories."
—Beck Bennett, 13:18

Timestamps

• [09:56] Cecily on playing New York and audience reaction
• [11:42] Beck on the Emperor’s New Clothes piece

The Audience, Cast Chemistry, and Band Lawrence

• Live performance energy varies with each audience—some shows are "hot and wild," some quieter.
• The band Lawrence is praised as the lifeblood of the show, with performer Gracie Lawrence singled out for her energy and comedic timing.
• Lawrence's original songs, though not written for the show, dovetail thematically with Simon’s stories around ambition and struggle; they also provide live sound effects onstage.

Notable Quotes:
"They do 90% of the work to get everybody there, and then we just are lucky enough that we get to show up and then read Simon's very funny words."
—Cecily Strong, 14:44

"It's sort of like watching, like, going to Thirty Rock in 1949 and seeing a radio show."
—Simon Rich, 16:06

Timestamps

• [14:07] Cecily and Beck on audience impact
• [15:06] Simon on integrating Lawrence

Breaking on Stage and Embracing Live Laughter

• Both Beck and Cecily admit to occasionally “breaking” (laughing) onstage, especially when playing alongside comedians like Jim Gaffigan whose physicality and unpredictability push their limits.
• They feel audiences enjoy witnessing authentic moments of laughter and connection among performers.

Notable Moment:
Cecily describes watching Jim Gaffigan play a half-man, half-ape superhero and the unpredictable fun that brings on stage (16:34–17:23).

Quick Updates: Other Projects

• Beck talks about his new podcast "What's Our Podcast?" with Kyle Mooney, where the format is intentionally undefined and guests suggest what the show should be about (18:03).
• Cecily is filming an Amazon show in "The Boys" universe (19:06).
• Simon Rich hints at working on screenplays but can’t give details (19:22).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Simon Rich, on ambition:
  "None of these characters really do make it, but they certainly try, for better and for worse." (09:31)

• Cecily Strong, on performing New York:
  "You got New York right. And not many people do. And you guys, you got it right." (10:54)

• Beck Bennett, on SNL vs. Broadway:
  "The experience is like snl, but it's so much more decent and just more relaxed and just enjoy." (08:26)

• Simon Rich, on emotional resonance:
  "I hope that people will find the show funny, of course, but also, you know, emotionally honest and that they'll relate to it." (12:26)

• Cecily Strong, on the band's role:
  "They do 90% of the work to get everybody there, and then we just are lucky enough that we get to show up and then read Simon's very funny words." (14:44)

Overall Tone and Atmosphere

The tone is warm, playful, self-deprecating, and thoughtful throughout—mirroring the spirit of both New York theater and the "All Out" production. The guests bounce jokes, reminisce about SNL, and dig into deeper questions about creativity and ambition, always returning to the ways in which community, effort, and vulnerability make live performance special.

Recommended Segments & Timestamps

• [03:05–05:08]: Breakdown of the show’s structure and vibe
• [09:56–11:08]: Cecily’s reflections on playing New York and the emotional connection with the audience
• [13:18–13:54]: Beck’s insights on ambition and relatable themes
• [14:07–15:06]: How audience and live band impact the energy of each show

Summary Verdict

This episode offers an engaging look at how live comedy and musical theater collide in All Out, shedding light on the creativity and camaraderie behind the curtain. Listeners will come away with a sense of the vibrant, ever-shifting spirit of New York's theater scene, the joys and anxieties of ambition, and the thrill of making—then remaking—a show night after night.