BroadwayRadio: Julia Lester Chats ‘All-Nighter’ – Detailed Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: BroadwayRadio
- Host/Author: BroadwayRadio
- Episode: ToB: Thursday, April 17, 2025 | Julia Lester Chats ‘All-Nighter’
- Release Date: April 17, 2025
- Description: Broadway's Premier Podcasts
Introduction
The episode kicks off with an advertisement from Dennis Black promoting Ruffgreens, a health supplement for dogs. Dennis outlines the benefits of adding Ruffgreens to a dog's diet over a 90-day period, highlighting improvements in coat shine, energy levels, immune strength, and even potential cancer risk reduction (00:00).
Following the ad, Matt Tammanini welcomes listeners to the Thursday episode of BroadwayRadio, introducing co-hosts Grace Aki and Julia Lester (01:01).
Off-Broadway News Highlights
Matt Tammanini and Grace Aki delve into the latest Off-Broadway developments:
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Jordan Tannehill's "Earmuffs for the Kids Prince":
- Premiere Date: June 16th
- Venues: Playwrights Horizons and Soho Rep
- Cast Includes: Rachel Crowell, K. Todd Freeman, David Greenspan, Mihir Kumar, John McCrae, Naomi Allured Stewart
- Co-Director: Shayak Misha Chaudhary
- Description: A metaphysical satire featuring a queer and gender-expansive ensemble (01:26).
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New Musical "Bo" by Douglas Lyons and Ethan D. Pakchar:
- Premiere Date: June 6th
- Venue: Christopher Street Theater
- Cast Includes: Matt Rhoden (Ace), Chris Blissett, Amelia Cormack, Andrea Goss, Corey Giacoma, Miyuka Miyagi, Derek J. Stoltenberg, Matt Wolpe
- Producer: Out of the Box Theatrics
- Description: Details on the musical’s theme were briefly touched upon (01:55).
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Joy Behar's New Play "My First Ex Husband":
- Closing Date Off-Broadway: May 18th
- Venue: MMA Theater, Upper West Side
- Cast Includes: Mary Lou Henner, Marsha Mason, Julia Sweeney, Benja K. Thomas
- Future Plans: Announcement of a national tour for summer (02:30).
Additional Highlights:
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TIME 100 List Announcement:
- Notable Theater Personalities Included: Brandon Jacob Jenkins, Daniel Day Kim, Nicole Scherzinger, John M. Chu, Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Bell, Lorne Michael
- Notable Mentions: Entries for Daniel Dae Kim by J.J. Abrams, Nicole Scherzinger by Patti LuPone, and John M. Chu by Michelle Yeoh (03:45).
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World Premiere of "Regency Girls" at Old Globe Theater:
- Run Dates: Through May 14th
- Creative Team: Writers Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allen, Music by Curtis Moore, Lyrics by Amanda Green, Directed and Choreographed by Josh Rhodes
- Cast Includes: Isabel McCullough, Christina Alubbado, Kate Rockwell, Ryan Redmond, Nick Walker
- Potential Move to New York: Indications of broader exposure in the future (04:03).
Interview with Julia Lester
The second half of the podcast features an in-depth interview with Julia Lester, focusing on her role in the Off-Broadway production "All-Nighter".
Key Discussion Points:
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Character Exploration – Wilma:
- Description: Wilma is portrayed as the "Queen of Johnson," embodying chaos, spiritedness, and a larger-than-life presence within the play.
- Julia's Interpretation: "[Wilma] sort of is a separate entity that's sort of like above in some way, almost like, physically and spiritually." (07:57)
- Performance Dynamics: Julia discusses the freedom given by playwright Natalie Margolin and director Jackie Bradley to experiment with Wilma’s character, leading to spontaneous moments like sliding into splits on stage (09:29).
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Cast Chemistry and Creative Environment:
- All-Female Cast and Crew: Emphasizes the intimate and supportive atmosphere, likening daily interactions to a "big slumber party."
- Bonding Through Shared Experiences: "[...] we have such deep love and respect for the characters that we play and how they relate to each other." (14:53)
- Collaborative Rehearsals: The creative freedom allowed actors to explore without restrictions, fostering a dynamic and energized rehearsal space (10:42).
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Personal Journey and Background:
- High School Musical Experience: Julia reflects on her time in High School Musical, likening it to a college experience and highlighting personal growth and community building (19:48).
- Family of Performers: Growing up in a family deeply entrenched in the performing arts provided her with unwavering support and an intrinsic understanding of the industry. Her father's Broadway debut in Cabaret was a poignant moment that underscored family support and the realization of lifelong dreams (23:10).
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Meeting Sara Bareilles:
- Inspiration and Mentorship: Julia shares her admiration for Sara Bareilles, who she met during the rehearsal process. Sara’s influence is evident in Julia’s approach to performance and leadership within the cast (27:55).
- Impact on Career: "[...] you can talk about that any day of the week." Julia underscores Sara’s role as a mentor figure, even without formal mentorship (29:37).
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Character Alignment and Personal Traits:
- Identifying with Wilma: Julia identifies herself as a Wilma at heart, appreciating Wilma’s heart, humor, and realness, while also recognizing her own more self-conscious nature (32:43).
- Desire for Loyalty and Unity: Expresses traits akin to other characters like Jacqueline, emphasizing loyalty and the importance of keeping the group together (33:06).
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Memorable Moments and Audience Interaction:
- Setting the Tone: Julia highlights the importance of moments that define the show's tone, such as portraying the passage of time in a "fast motion, jerky" manner similar to strobe effects, and the subsequent audience reactions (35:28).
- Audience Engagement: Enjoys hearing the immediate responses to significant reveals and thematic elements as they unfold on stage (37:13).
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Julia expressing her excitement for future endeavors and gratitude for the opportunity to discuss her role in "All-Nighter". Listeners are encouraged to follow BroadwayRadio on social media platforms for more updates and insights.
Final Thoughts:
- Julia Lester's Growth: From her early days in High School Musical to her current role in "All-Nighter," Julia demonstrates significant artistic growth and a deepening connection to her craft.
- Supportive Creative Environment: The all-female cast and crew, combined with the intimate setting, foster a nurturing space for creative exploration and personal development.
- Anticipation for Future Projects: Both hosts and listeners eagerly await Julia's next steps in her burgeoning career, signaling a promising trajectory in the Broadway community.
Notable Quotes:
- “She sort of is a separate entity that's sort of like above in some way, almost like, physically and spiritually.” – Julia Lester (07:57)
- “This is such an intimate cast as well. [...] It was just like every day felt kind of like a big slumber party in a way.” – Julia Lester (13:26)
- “I learned how to have a voice and ask questions and be curious about the things that I was doing in the show.” – Julia Lester (21:13)
- “I am like a Wilma at heart, who we love. There is nothing wrong with Wilma.” – Julia Lester (33:06)
Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisements, introductory remarks, and closing statements unrelated to the core content to maintain focus on key discussions and insights.