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Special Episode: Alabado, Anderson, Giulietti on strong women behind ‘Mystic Pizza’
00:23:58
On today’s episode, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with the three stars of the new musical adaptation of the iconic 1988 film “Mystic Pizza.” In the interview, he speaks with Krystina Alabado, Alaina Anderson, and Deánna Giulietti, who play Diasy,
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- [00:00]
Elena Anderson
Foreign.
- [00:07]
Matt Tammanini
Welcome to a special interview episode of Broadway Radio. My name is Matt Tammanini. As Grace and I wrap up our holiday breaks, we'll be back tomorrow with a new episode of Today on Broadway where we look back at all of the news that we missed over the past few weeks, as well as anything that pops up on Monday. But on today's episode, I'm in conversation with not one, not two, but three stars of the new musical adaptation from the iconic 1988 film Mystic Pizza. This will be the third production of the show and it is getting ready to make its way north up to the New York City area. But first, it is stopping here in Central Florida over at the Riverside Theater in Vero beach, where it'll be running from January 7th through the 26th, before heading up to Milburn, New Jersey, at the paper Mill Playhouse, where it will kick off performances just a few days later on January 29, running through February 23. But today I am chatting with the three women at the center of this show, Christina Alabada, who has been a guest here on Broadway radio before, Alaina Anderson and Diana Jolietti. They play Daisy, Kat and Jojo, respectively. Their roles originated on screen by Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lily Taylor. In our chat, they discuss how important it is to be telling a story about women in a show that boasts a creative team made up primarily of women. Dana talks about growing up just an hour away from Mystic, Connecticut. Elena, who has a degree in cognitive cognitive sciences from Yale, no less, discusses playing another burgeoning scientist. And Christina details the five year process of developing this show in the show notes. Of course, I will have information on how you can purchase tickets to see Mystic Pizza either in Vero beach at the Riverside Theater or in Milburgh, New Jersey at the Paper Mill Playhouse. I had a great time chatting with these three incredible talents. They are all amazing performers and wonderful human beings. And I cannot wait to not only see this show, but to see what happens next for it as well. So with all of that out of the way, here is my conversation with Christina Alabado, Alena Anderson, and Diana Giulietti. First and probably the most important question, what is all of your go to pizza orders?
- [02:29]
Christina Alabado
We literally were just talking about this in the dressing room. We were like, this is totally going to be a question that is asked to us. I was saying, my favorite my go to right now is always pepperoni. Always. But with hot honey.
- [02:42]
Diana Giulietti
Lately these days, those big fat like.
- [02:44]
Christina Alabado
Big pepperonis with hot honey.
- [02:47]
Matt Tammanini
Okay, that was Christina. Who else? Deanna do you look like you've got something on mind?
- [02:52]
Diana Giulietti
Yes. We've been going over this. I think Diana loves a nice Sicilian slice. I'm Sicilian. Yeah. But I think Jojo loves a meat lover's.
- [03:03]
Christina Alabado
I would fully agree with that.
- [03:06]
Matt Tammanini
All right, Elena, what about you?
- [03:09]
Elena Anderson
I love a grandma slice. I love it when it's very saucy or like, anything with, like, penne or broccoli. I feel like those are always good toppings.
- [03:19]
Matt Tammanini
I'm unfamiliar with a grandma slice, so what is that?
- [03:23]
Elena Anderson
I don't even know how to describe it. It's like less cheese or is it like cheese? Is it like cheese on the bottom and sauce on top?
- [03:28]
Christina Alabado
Yes, exactly.
- [03:29]
Elena Anderson
It's like always almost square cut, and it's like sauce heavy.
- [03:33]
Diana Giulietti
And it's very, like.
- [03:34]
Elena Anderson
It's got, like, good spices. Really good.
- [03:37]
Matt Tammanini
Okay, good to know. Those are all very good and interesting orders out. We can dive into what they tell us about your individual personalities later.
- [03:44]
Diana Giulietti
You bring them. You bring them to opening night so we can.
- [03:50]
Matt Tammanini
We can do that. Well, as we said before we started recording, this is day four of tech. I think you have, like, the invited dress in three days. First public performance in four days. You've been here over the holidays. How is everything going?
- [04:04]
Diana Giulietti
Oh, it's going so much fun. We're having a lot of fun. Like, for me, it's first time putting on Jojo's wig, Jojo's costumes, being under the lights, and it's just so much fun to play and explore still. I'm having so much fun.
- [04:20]
Elena Anderson
Yeah, I'm so, so I'm just having a great time. I feel like this past year has been a lot of, like, concerts and readings and stuff for me. So it's so exciting to get to do, like, a fully staged musical on its feed. It's just like a completely different experience.
- [04:32]
Christina Alabado
This is a unique and cool experience for me as an actor because I've been developing this show with the team for five years almost, which is kind of wild. So to watch it in every iteration, from Zoom workshops to all the different productions you've done to in person readings and like, you know, the Pandemic, sort of like throwing around how we're developing this new musical for a larger audience base has been really cool. And I think where we've arrived now, we're so excited to bring into Paper Mill this, like, prestigious place into the year in Florida to start it. And I think to watch that all come together here is really, really special. And this cast is dynamite.
- [05:08]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah. And I have been following along through that entire process. Christina, my dear friend Kira was in the first few runs, so I love Kieran. I've loved following this and I'm so excited to see you all do this show. I think so many people, especially of my age and older, know this film, but maybe might not know what to expect from the musical. The songs that have been interpolated into this score, like Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Gibson, all of these. Not there's other. There's men's songs in there too, but, like, these great women rockers of the 80s and 90s, what has that been like to, like, you know, it's one thing to sing songs like that in a concert, but like to dig into them in, like, a narrative sense and to, like, really explore them. What has that been like for you guys?
- [05:51]
Diana Giulietti
It's just for me, an honor to be singing with these two. Like, it's such a powerful show for women and a coming of age story of sisterhood, too. It's just so much fun rocking out with the two of them and then I have the honor on stage. So when you come, make sure you watch out for this specific part. But on stage, Christina sings a rock ballad and I am on stage. She's not singing to me, but we are like.
- [06:19]
Elena Anderson
We are on stage, like, soaking it all in.
- [06:26]
Diana Giulietti
You're gonna love it. Me and Elaina are, like, holding hands and Christine is just going forward. And even just that moment, like, we're not even singing in that moment, but you can just see the power, the female power and us supporting her. It's very powerful. And rock on, Christina.
- [06:42]
Christina Alabado
Yeah, I think you guys do. I think one of the things that brings me back to this all the time that I love so much about this is that we're really telling a story about women through the lens of women, which I think is something that still is exceedingly rare. And in the way that we set it up here, it is three women's stories, and we really do focus on each of them and get. They each get their moment to, like, shine in the show. And also, like, we learn three different perspectives. And I think no matter who you are, what age, like, you can see yourself in these characters and the relationships they're having and the, you know, the things they're going through.
- [07:13]
Diana Giulietti
So.
- [07:13]
Christina Alabado
But the, I will say, like, the female power of us being together on stage with a mostly female creative team and just. It's been pretty magical.
- [07:23]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah. I wanted to ask about the fact that even though it is still Very rare. Like, this is a predominantly woman led creative team with Casey and Sandy and Carmel and Kristen, Jen, Roxanne and probably many others involved too. How does that influence telling this very female focused story? But then also the process of working on the show from the auditions into rehearsals and everything you're doing now during tech, like, how does that change what you do leading up to what the audience actually sees?
- [07:52]
Diana Giulietti
Honestly, it's such a safe space. That's what I have to say first. Like, from auditions till now, like, they've opened up the room to be so collaborative and warm and loving and we get it, you know, like, as simple as that. When Sandy was with us for a lot of the process too, and Sandy was brought to tears one day being like, look around the room. Look at this room full of women. Like, this is something I've always wanted to do, and you can feel it. We all have, like, just such support for each other too. It's been beautiful.
- [08:28]
Matt Tammanini
Well, Dana, you are from Connecticut and about an hour or so from where the real Mystic Pizza is. That's why, like, what does that mean? Like a full circle kind of moment, right?
- [08:40]
Diana Giulietti
No, it's crazy. Full circle for sure. In my elementary school, we would go on field trips to mystic and we would, like, learn all about sailing because it's a coastal town, you know, and we would, like, go on boats and learn all nautical theories and learn about the ship, and we had sleepovers at mystic and. But you know what? I never went to actually Mystic Pizza, so I still have to go.
- [09:06]
Elena Anderson
But you got the shirt.
- [09:06]
Christina Alabado
Yeah.
- [09:08]
Elena Anderson
And also, you said your childhood best. Yes, that's crazy.
- [09:11]
Diana Giulietti
That's true. The show is about two sisters and their best friend. And my best friends growing up around the corner in my small town of Connecticut were two sisters. So for me, this is like, I got it. My life.
- [09:23]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah. Talk about full circle meta moments. But, you know, and speaking. Speaking of that, Elena, obviously astronomy and cognitive science are two very different things, but how has the experience from your, like, real world and real studies in the world of science kind of helped you connect with Kat?
- [09:42]
Elena Anderson
Oh, my gosh. It's been so crazy because I. I mean, when I just saw the breakdown for this audition kind of in my inbox, I was like, that's so interesting. And I think there's something so beautiful as an actor. Obviously we get to play a lot of different perspectives and embody people different from us, but there's something so exciting about getting to play a character that you can just bring a lot of your whole Authentic self to. And so getting to play cat has just been like, coming home in so many ways. Like, I just gotten to relax into, like, these are the circumstances of my life, basically. Not in all ways, but.
- [10:15]
Matt Tammanini
In the science side as well. Yeah, well. And Christina, you said, as you talked about, you've been working on this show for half a decade now, and this show is about, as we've said, sisterhood, both by birth and by choice. And you've done the show with other people. You're doing it now with these two. And obviously, you're all actors. So making us believe that on stage relationships are real is part of your job. But how important is it, especially with a relatively short rehearsal process, to build those relationships offstage before you ever get to do it in front of a crowd?
- [10:49]
Christina Alabado
My God, it's exceedingly important. And I think, again, it is such a testament to Casey Hushen, because the moment that the three of us met, there was no. We didn't even. We didn't even have to do anything. It truly was, like, immediate sparks, immediate chemistry, immediate safety and friendship and respect amongst the three of us, which I think is all you can ask for in a rehearsal room. But then just. I think Casey Hushin is so good at casting in the sense that she's also casting on how you feel in the room, how you speak to the people that you're auditioning for. And she will always welcome people in with, like, good, wholehearted vibes of, like, just human to human. And I think that you can see that within the entire company of Mystic Pizza and everybody that's really ever crossed its path. And I think it has been completely effortless for us to create a bond together, in my opinion. And also, we're so excited to, like, continue, like, learning about each other. But on stage, it feels like it immediately.
- [11:48]
Elena Anderson
I don't know how y'all felt, but.
- [11:49]
Christina Alabado
Like, there was no, like, on ramp. It was just like, oh, we've been.
- [11:52]
Elena Anderson
Doing this for literal ever to get here.
- [11:54]
Diana Giulietti
It's kind of crazy.
- [11:57]
Matt Tammanini
Is that. Is that normal? I mean, obviously, like, actors are, I think, by stock and trade, people who are a little bit more emotionally open than the rest of us general population. Is that. But is that normal to have those instant connections, or do you still have to work at it in some jobs.
- [12:12]
Christina Alabado
I think that, like, you can build that. I don't know how y'all feel, obviously, with so many people and. But I think that it's. It is really, like, right place, right time when it feels this easy. And I really Mean that. I mean, talked about it, like, and.
- [12:24]
Diana Giulietti
I was truly crazy.
- [12:26]
Elena Anderson
Just to add on to what you said, like, obviously, like, we're not the first people to have played these roles. And, like, we have heard. But we've heard nothing but wonderful things about everybody that's moved through these tracks and that's moved through the show. And I think, again, just like, a testament to how much effort and, like, Casey puts into, like, choosing people that. To building a room that. That's warm.
- [12:44]
Diana Giulietti
Yes, yes, absolutely. She also. Casey also feels like the fourth sister.
- [12:49]
Elena Anderson
Yes.
- [12:50]
Diana Giulietti
She makes it so easy and, like.
- [12:54]
Christina Alabado
You know what I mean?
- [12:55]
Diana Giulietti
Like, just pulling us aside, you know, just hanging out at the beach with us and, like, making us feel like a family, all of us, truly.
- [13:03]
Matt Tammanini
Obviously, as we talked about, this show is centered on your three characters stories, but as you were talking about, Casey put together a full cast, not just the three of you. That is excellent. And people who are incredibly talented, people that a lot of theater fans, both in Florida and in New Jersey and in and around New York City, are going to know and love. Tell me about the rest of this cast. Whether it's the folks that maybe some of the names that people are familiar with, but maybe some of the ones.
- [13:28]
Christina Alabado
That aren't, it's been cool because this is sort of a conglomeration of. Again, I think, like, we have this whole community of people that have worked on the show, that have moved through the show, like you said. And now we've kind of come to this beautiful moment for our show where I feel like the show is the strongest it's been. The cast is so locked and loaded in every aspect of it, and we're so excited to, like, what's cool about this cast. I'm literally looking at a picture.
- [13:53]
Diana Giulietti
They're so great and beautiful.
- [13:56]
Christina Alabado
But what's amazing is that everyone's bringing their own personality in. And, like, we get to see, you know, me and Jake Swain did it in a gunkwit. And then we have, like, a couple people that joined us when we got to La Mirada. And then now we have all our people from Riverside. So it's this beautiful, like, I don't know, community of people that we've now come together for this. What I would find and think is, like, the most exciting part of our journey on this show.
- [14:18]
Elena Anderson
So.
- [14:19]
Christina Alabado
Yeah, and I think audiences are gonna just die for, like, literally all Broadway stars right here. Like, all these people are unbelievable. Talent and kindness.
- [14:28]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah. That's awesome. I. You know, I wonder. Christina, you. And then the others as well, have done these, you know, shows and concerts outside of or throughout your career, because, you know, I think a lot of times you've kind of been associated with some shows that have some rock tendencies, whether that's American Idiot or American Psycho. But for all of you as musical theater performers, do you have to do something different to your voice as you approach one popular songs, but then also, just like, songs that aren't written traditionally for musical theater voices, do you have to just kind of approach how you prep, how you rehearse, and then how you actually sing them on stage differently when it's a traditional theater standard versus a song by, you know, Belinda Carlisle or somebody else like that?
- [15:14]
Diana Giulietti
Totally.
- [15:14]
Elena Anderson
That's such an interesting question. I think I feel like, like, me and I feel like a lot of people we know do a lot of, like, vocal cross training, and you are expected to sing in, like, a lot of different styles. I think I like coming from, like, also, like, kind of, like more of a rock pop background. This show has been a nice way to just relax into the music.
- [15:30]
Diana Giulietti
Yeah.
- [15:30]
Elena Anderson
Like, it's required. I feel like, less prep for me than, like, doing traditional musical theater rap, which has been nice.
- [15:35]
Diana Giulietti
Yeah, Yeah. A lot of. A lot of these songs, the direction is so simple. It's like, just feel the groove of the song. Yeah. You know, because it's all that is rock music, really. You're just, like, singing straight from your heart, and it lends itself perfectly in this musical. You know, it's. It's not really, like. I don't know, not like a traditional jukebox musical where it's like, oh, and now pop out and randomly sing this song that doesn't really make sense. It's all very moving and. And part of the story, and it just. It's just natural. You just sing from your heart.
- [16:09]
Elena Anderson
That's such a true. They did such a good job in putting this show together, in picking songs that, like, really track with the story.
- [16:15]
Diana Giulietti
Yeah.
- [16:15]
Christina Alabado
Oh, yeah. And I think we talk a lot about, like, you know, within the show, and when you see it, you'll see that, like, everything is coming from a grounded, honest place. And I think that's why this show has continued moving through this, like, really upward trajectory of what it is is that just like Diana was saying, like, when you sing a song, it's coming from a place of emotional hon. Not that other shows don't do that. So many shows do, but it can be complicated when you're throwing in a song that maybe lyrically doesn't perfectly match up with the moment. But I think that we've been directed in such an amazing way. And I think, again, this cast is chosen because we are able to drop into these songs pretty honestly without feeling like it's this huge turn or, like, a different. Like you said, like a bam. It comes from a place of, like, emotion, which is really cool. So I think that in itself almost feels like the scenes and songs are kind of continuous in a way. Odd.
- [17:08]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah. That is so rare to do and so hard to do when you're working with, you know, source material of the songs with a different script. I mean, there are times when it's fun to have a song where, like, you're, like. You hear that first beat and you laugh because you're like, oh, that's really silly to be in there. But it's so cool to have a show really interpolating the songs that people know and love into a really honest way. So I cannot wait to see that. We've mentioned the fact that you're starting here in Vero beach, and then almost immediately, like, you guys have, like, no turnaround time by the time you guys start doing it at Paper Mill, which good luck to y'all on that. But as you're starting out this journey with this version of the show in Florida New year, diving into it, what does that kind of mean for you as a company to, like, okay, this is 2025. We are starting whatever the journey of this show might be, you know, what it's going to be for the next couple of months, but, like, beyond that, who the heck knows? But what does it mean to start with a new version of the show, a new year with new audiences who hopefully come into it, you know, not having really much of an idea as to what they're gonna see, because they aren't necessarily the inside the business audiences that you're gonna find in Milburn in a couple weeks.
- [18:20]
Elena Anderson
I mean, getting to start the year specifically, like, with this show, with these people, like, I can't imagine a better way to ring in 2025 than to, like, be in this room. Basically.
- [18:29]
Diana Giulietti
Yes. Same as you were saying it. I was just like, yeah, we're starting the new year just, like, fresh. It's a fresh musical for me, too.
- [18:39]
Christina Alabado
Like, I.
- [18:39]
Diana Giulietti
It just is so exciting, and it's in such an exciting place right now. Like, we're creating magic every day. We're in tech. Like, this is where everything is falling into place. And, like, we are gonna have just.
- [18:51]
Elena Anderson
Such a good show.
- [18:52]
Diana Giulietti
And I know the audiences here are going to love it.
- [18:56]
Elena Anderson
Somebody yesterday at in line at Casey's for dinner who was like, are you guys in the cast of Mystic Pizza? She said she's very excited.
- [19:03]
Diana Giulietti
She's very excited. She's bringing her whole family. They're like, we cannot wait to see. And there's something exciting about new theater and bringing people new theater in a place where you don't expect it, but they're hungry for it. Yes. Like, they're stopping us everywhere. So excited for the Mystic Pizza cast, and it's an honor to bring it to them. We're like, yeah, you better come.
- [19:22]
Christina Alabado
We'll see you there. And I think that in turn, with, like, finally being able to bring the show to the east coast and to Papermill, the prestige that is Papermill Playhouse. I mean, talk about a place I've always wanted to work that I have not gotten the chance to. We're so excited to bring it to that type, like, our New York audience. I think that that, like, the show's ready for it, and it's really exciting to showcase our show to the place that we all live and love in.
- [19:46]
Diana Giulietti
A way where I'm really proud of.
- [19:48]
Christina Alabado
It, and I can't wait for us to expand who gets to see it. And we're excited. And, yes, it's going to be a quick turnaround, but we're really excited, and we're up for the challenge in 2025. Let's do it.
- [19:59]
Matt Tammanini
Yeah, absolutely. Well, I'll wrap it up on this question. Deanna, you kind of mentioned this earlier about seeing Christina sing whatever song, whatever pop ballad that you were or rock ballad that you were talking about earlier. But I'm interested. Are there things that you are super excited for the audience to see, whether it's something that you're involved with, whether you're on stage, whether you're backstage, whether you just kind of listen through the monitors. What are the moments that you're really geeked up about to see how the audience responds to?
- [20:28]
Diana Giulietti
Okay, here's what I would say would go viral. Okay. I think Elena and Ben are going to blow everybody's minds. They have two duets in the show, or is it three?
- [20:43]
Elena Anderson
I think it's two.
- [20:44]
Diana Giulietti
Look, I'm always hoping for more.
- [20:45]
Elena Anderson
I'll be there for two.
- [20:46]
Diana Giulietti
It's still tech. I'm willing to add another song. Look, they are so good. I think that's gonna go epically viral. And the song that Christina sings and pay attention. The song Christina sings. Me and Elena are holding hands during it. And we're acting and we're serving, but, like, require a lot of acting. We're trying to melt, and that's not.
- [21:07]
Christina Alabado
Even a joke because, you know, when.
- [21:08]
Diana Giulietti
We run Xbox, you have to watch us just give us a little glassy pants. But it's truly, like. And even that, for me, is so, so special. Like, just being surrounded by these strong women on stage, and then obviously, we all three have a song together, and that's gonna slide. That's my favorite as well. But I think for me, and I'm.
- [21:30]
Christina Alabado
Not gonna give away the end. There's a moment, and I can't wait for all our audiences and people listening to come see it. But the way that Casey Block of the show, the final moment, to me, is not only genius, but, like, it makes me. Like, I truly could cry right now. It is so. I don't want to say what it is. It's so cool, though. It is just. It's the final moment before we black out, and it's just so special. So come see it if you want to know what I'm talking about.
- [21:56]
Diana Giulietti
Wait. One more. There's a number with Elena and Christina. The audience will just be in tears.
- [22:05]
Elena Anderson
Oh, yeah.
- [22:05]
Diana Giulietti
I love that we're not telling them what the songs are.
- [22:07]
Christina Alabado
I absolutely love it. They're secrets.
- [22:11]
Matt Tammanini
I mean, like you said, you've done this show multiple times, but the set list still under wraps. No one gets to know what they are until they actually pay to see the show in person. Yeah. I love it.
- [22:20]
Elena Anderson
And I'm gonna say I love everything that these two do. And I just think I don't do a lot of movement in this show. I'm very much. I think the singer, actor, track, but the whole ensemble. And these two are dancing and, like, just, like, dancing in heels and short skirts. Diana is doing, like, acrobatics.
- [22:41]
Christina Alabado
And this is the ensemble.
- [22:43]
Matt Tammanini
They are.
- [22:44]
Elena Anderson
Oh, my God.
- [22:46]
Christina Alabado
They're each like, their own individual, like, person up there on stage with their own individual vibe and the. And just truly.
- [22:54]
Elena Anderson
Yeah, a group of.
- [22:55]
Christina Alabado
It doesn't even feel. It feels like a full ensemble piece.
- [22:58]
Diana Giulietti
Yes.
- [22:58]
Christina Alabado
It's so, like, everybody's story is there. We just happen to hear these three, and they're like love interests and Leona, but. But, man, that whole ensemble.
- [23:07]
Diana Giulietti
Yeah, like, they're making such specific choices. Like, you could follow one ensemble member throughout the whole show and see their whole arc. It's really amazing.
- [23:16]
Matt Tammanini
I love that.
- [23:16]
Diana Giulietti
As you can tell, we love the show.
- [23:20]
Matt Tammanini
This is one of those jobs. You're just, like, you're going through the motions. Obviously, you don't really care all that much. No, obviously.
- [23:25]
Elena Anderson
And the set? I need people to come to see the show. To see the set. The set design is phenomenal.
- [23:30]
Christina Alabado
Yes.
- [23:30]
Elena Anderson
It's really worth it.
- [23:31]
Diana Giulietti
Such detail. Yes.
- [23:33]
Matt Tammanini
Amazing. Well, I cannot wait to see the show next week. Good luck. Break legs over the next week. And I am super excited for everything about this because like I said, I've been following it for a long time and cannot wait to finally see it on stage. First at Vero and then hopefully at Paper Mill. It will.
- [23:49]
Elena Anderson
Thanks for having us.
- [23:50]
Diana Giulietti
Thank you.
- [23:51]
Matt Tammanini
Thank you.