Podcast
Broadway Press Day with Ruthie Fierberg
Hosted by Broadway Brands · EN
When a new show prepares to open on Broadway, the production typically takes a few hours out of rehearsal to host an event in which the cast and creative team members meet the press. Broadway News is giving you the inside track into the press room. Learn what to expect from new plays and musicals coming to Broadway with host Ruthie Fierberg.
40episodes
Episodes
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Schmigadoon!’ orchestrator Mike Morris
5d ago00:07:55Tap to summarizeOrchestrator Mike Morris made his Broadway debut just a few weeks ago with the Main Stem premiere of “Schmigadoon!” And now, Morris is a 2026 Tony Award nominee for Best Orchestrations alongside co-orchestrator Doug Besterman.Here, Morris explains on behalf of himself and his creative partner the unique and often hidden challenges — from choosing the instruments in the orchestra to designating the specific way those instruments would be played — of orchestrating this big heaping of a Broadway musical.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Find more about “Schmigadoon!” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Chess’ star Bryce Pinkham
5d ago00:08:57Tap to summarizeBryce Pinkham wasn’t initially trained as a musical theater actor. Pinkham studied at the Yale School of Drama and expected he’d build a career performing in straight plays. Well, Broadway had other plans. Pinkham made his Broadway name in musicals, especiall with his Tony Award-nominated turn in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” This season, Pinkham brings more musical theater acumen to the role of the Arbiter in the revival of “Chess.” Below, the actor explains his familial connection to the musical, his specific take on the Arbiter and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Get more info about “Chess” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Fallen Angels’ designer David Rockwell
5d ago00:05:23Tap to summarizeScenic designer and architect David Rockwell designed his 36th Broadway show this season: “Fallen Angels.” His concept for the revival of Noël Coward’s farce has earned Rockwell his seventh Tony Award nomination. Of all the sets Rockwell has designed, he told Broadway News that “Fallen Angels” was the most challenging — making the nomination all the sweeter.Here, Rockwell describes the calculated research he conducted to create the 1920s Art Deco set, and he points out the feminine-inspired architectural details for this female-driven comedy.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Schmigadoon!’ designer Walter Trarbach
6d ago00:04:39Tap to summarizeSound designer Walter Trarbach made his Broadway debut as the associate sound designer for 2004’s “700 Sundays.” His first lead design credit was 2007’s “Cymbeline,” and his first Tony Award nomination was for 2017’s “SpongeBob SquarePants.” It’s worth noting that the categories for Best Sound Design have been in and out of contention for Tony Awards during the years of Trarbach’s career.Here, Trarbach reveals the techniques he used to make the “Schmigadoon!” orchestra sound larger than it is, to pay homage to the Golden Age of musicals and to let the music and sound of “Schmigadoon!” soar.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Learn more about “Schmigadoon!” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Waiting for Godot’ actor Brandon J. Dirden
6d ago00:05:56Tap to summarizeBrandon J. Dirden has been acting on Broadway for almost 20 years, and this season he has earned his first Tony Award nomination. Dirden was recognized for his performance as Pozzo in “Waiting for Godot.”In this episode, Dirden discusses his process of crafting this bombastic character in the Samuel Beckett classic.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Get more info about “Waiting for Godot” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ designer Rachel Hauck
6d ago00:06:41Tap to summarizeScenic designer Rachel Hauck made her Broadway debut with “Latin History for Morons” in 2017. Since then, Hauck has designed the sets for six more Broadway shows and has earned Tony Award nominations for four of them, including this year for “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.”Here, Hauck describes how she translated her initial concept for the musical’s downtown premiere to its new Broadway home.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Learn more about the reimagining of “Cats” from its co-directors here.Find out about the unique casting process for “Cats” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Ragtime’ star Caissie Levy
6d ago00:09:08Tap to summarizeActor Caissie Levy made her Broadway debut replacing as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray.” Twenty years later, Levy has been nominated for her first Tony Award for her turn as Mother in “Ragtime.”In the below episode, Levy shares the personal resonance of this role, the ways in which it has stretched her as a performer and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Get more info about “Ragtime” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Chess’ orchestrator Brian Usifer
6d ago00:07:43Tap to summarizeBrian Usifer has been rising on the music side of Broadway for more than a decade — from associate music supervisor to music supervisor, from conductor to orchestrator. For the current revival of “Chess,” Usifer served as music supervisor and also wrote arrangements and new orchestrations. Now, Usifer is a 2026 Tony Award nominee for Best Orchestrations.In this episode, Usifer describes what it took to preserve the original 1980s tone of the score for a contemporary audience.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Get more info about “Chess” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘The Lost Boys’ star Ali Louis Bourzgui
6d ago00:09:26Tap to summarizeAli Louis Bourzgui made his Broadway debut as the titular character in the 2024 revival of “The Who’s Tommy.” This year, Bourzgui originated the role of the vampire David in the musical adaptation of “The Lost Boys.”Here, the actor explains how he crafted the character, how he has maintained the physicality of his performance and what “Lost Boys” item he wants to auction for Broadway Cares.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Learn much more about “The Lost Boys” here.
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5 minutes with a Tony nominee: ‘Giant’ star Aya Cash
6d ago00:09:12Tap to summarizeAya Cash originated the role of Jessie Stone in “Giant” in the West End. This season, she has reprised the role on Broadway, marking her Broadway debut. Her performance has also garnered the actor her first Tony Award nomination.In this episode, Cash discusses going head to head with scene partner John Lithgow, building her character and starring in a drama about current events.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Visit broadwaynews.com and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.Learn more about “Giant” here.
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