BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: “Class Notes: John Millican from In the Unlikely Event of an Actual Emergency
Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction

In the March 24, 2025 episode of BroadwayRadio, host Lauren Fasshneider engages in a compelling conversation with John Millican, the talented playwright and performer behind the critically acclaimed play, In the Unlikely Event of an Actual Emergency. As part of this season’s New York City Fringe Festival, John shares insights into his creative process, the journey of his play, and his personal experiences that shaped the narrative.

1. Play Overview and Adaptation for New York Fringe

Lauren begins by outlining the premise of John’s play: Arturo, a guarded airline passenger, is thrust into a life-altering event when turbulence escalates into disaster, transporting him into an in-between space where he must confront his past, let go of guilt, and survive what the airlines refer to as “an airline incident” (00:20). John discusses the adaptation process required for the New York Fringe Festival, which imposes a 60-minute performance limit compared to the original 80-85 minutes of the play.

“We’ve had to trim certain sections of the play, especially Arturo's journey through the airplane incident. So what New York is going to get is an abridged version of the full play, but it’s going to be a very intense 60 minutes, and I’m super excited.” (00:53)

John emphasizes the creative challenge of condensing the play without losing its emotional depth, expressing enthusiasm for the fresh storytelling approach this restriction necessitates.

2. Securing a Spot in the New York Fringe Festival

Lauren highlights the prestige and competitiveness of the New York Fringe Festival, prompting John to elaborate on how his play was accepted. John credits his producer, Andrea Michelle, for encouraging him to apply.

“My producer, Andrea, said, ‘John, if you want to get to New York, I think it would be important for you to really try to apply to New York City Fringe.’ And this is my first Fringe... I applied, and we had finished our LA run towards the end of October. A week later, two weeks later, I heard from New York Fringe saying, congratulations, you’ve been accepted.” (02:05)

He expresses immense gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to showcase his work on such a prominent platform.

3. The Role of Producer Andrea “Mama Bear” Michelle

John delves into his professional relationship with his producer, Andrea Michelle, affectionately known as “Mama Bear.” Andrea’s role is pivotal in overseeing the production and ensuring the well-being of the cast and crew.

“She really takes care of me and the company and has a great eye overseeing the entire production with our cast of seven and our director, Ricky Pete. I always feel taken care of, which is very, very important.” (02:49)

John underscores Andrea’s ability to manage the complexities of production, allowing him to focus on his dual roles as playwright and performer.

4. Inspiration and Personal Connection to the Play

When Lauren inquires about the inspiration behind the play, John reveals its deeply personal roots. The narrative is autobiographical, drawing from a real-life plane crash survival experience at age 19—a story he has kept private for decades.

“During COVID, I lost my mother, and I realized that the most challenging experience I’ve ever had was surviving that plane crash and never talking about it. I finally had the courage to put pen to paper and honor my parents, who were both artists and always told me to channel my issues into art.” (04:00)

John connects his personal trauma and recent loss to the universal themes of survival, guilt, and the healing power of art, illustrating how personal adversity can fuel creative expression.

5. Future Plans and Screen Adaptation Potential

Lauren points out John’s multifaceted career, including his roles as a WGA writer, actor, and creative director for major companies like Walt Disney. This leads to a discussion on the potential for adapting his play for the screen.

“It’s an extremely theatrical and very moving true story... I know it would be great on film.” (05:39)

John expresses confidence that the play’s strong narrative and emotional core would translate effectively to a cinematic format, highlighting the universal appeal of its themes.

6. Collaboration with Director Ricky Pete

John describes his working relationship with director Ricky Pete, emphasizing Ricky’s critical role in refining the play’s dialogue and pacing.

“He will say, ‘John, this bit of dialogue isn’t quite right,’ or ‘This doesn’t quite work,’ and he makes me defend my choices. But he is in charge, and we have a great shorthand. When he says something, I listen because he’s usually right nine times out of ten.” (07:38)

This dynamic showcases the collaborative nature of theater production, where constructive feedback is essential for enhancing the storytelling.

7. Casting and Performing as Arturo

A significant revelation comes when John discusses his decision to portray Arturo himself—a move that surprised many in his personal circle.

“I have to play this role of Arturo. Much to the shock and surprise of my husband and friends, I decided to act in my own play. But I did my job, and the reviews have been great.” (08:15)

John explains that his deep personal connection to Arturo made him feel compelled to embody the character, adding authenticity to the performance.

8. Bringing the LA Cast to New York

John confirms that the entire LA-based cast will accompany him to New York, a testament to their strong rapport and unified vision.

“We call ourselves the Unlikely Family, and we’re thrilled to bring that to New York and share it.” (09:34)

Maintaining the original cast ensures continuity and preserves the chemistry that has been instrumental to the play’s success thus far.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Lauren expresses excitement for the play’s New York debut and encourages listeners to attend the performances. John provides resources for more information, directing interested parties to unlikelyplay.com for details on the Fringe Festival run.

“Please come. If anybody has any questions about the play, you can go to unlikelyplay.com.” (10:27)

John’s journey from personal trauma to acclaimed playwright and performer highlights the transformative power of art and the importance of storytelling in navigating life’s challenges.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Adapting the Play: “We’re now starting at a six or a seven to get to a nine or a ten.” (00:53)

• About Producer Andrea: “I always feel taken care of, which is very, very important.” (03:36)

• On Performing as Arturo: “If you’re the playwright and you have something to say, and maybe you are the only person who can say it this way, do it.” (08:15)

This episode of BroadwayRadio offers a profound look into John Millican’s artistic process, the heartfelt origins of his play, and the collaborative efforts that bring his vision to life on stage. For theater enthusiasts and aspiring playwrights alike, John’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the resilience and creativity inherent in the arts.