Sentimental Men - Episode 67: "Elsa and Norma and Karen, Oh My!" (with Caroline Bowman)
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Host: Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi
Guest: Caroline Bowman

Introduction

In Episode 67 of Sentimental Men, hosts Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi invite Broadway star Caroline Bowman to discuss her recent achievements and experiences in musical theater. The episode delves into Caroline's journey from touring with Frozen as Elsa to originating the role of Karen in the Broadway revival of Smash. The conversation also touches upon the latest updates from the Wicked universe and the anticipated Oscar nominations for The Wicked Movie.

Recent Broadway Casting Announcements

[03:29] Quincy Brown
"As always, lots of lot of updates in the Wicked verse since our last episode. First and foremost is the new Broadway casting announcement."

Quincy and Kevin express excitement over the new casting announcements for Wicked on Broadway. They highlight the groundbreaking news of the first full-time Black Elphaba, Lencia Cabetta, praising her vocal prowess and anticipating a fresh interpretation of the beloved role.

[04:07] Kevin Bianchi
"Wicked is announcing the first full-time Black Elphaba on Broadway, and it's Lencia Cabetta whose voice is insane."

The hosts also discuss upcoming developments for the original Broadway cast of 13 the Musical, with optimistic remarks about the future of the cast members, including Ariana and Ali Trim.

Oscar Nominations for The Wicked Movie

[06:33] Quincy Brown
"Next up in our Rolodex of Wicked updates is the Oscar nominations for The Wicked movie."

Wicked has garnered an impressive 10 Oscar nominations, spanning categories such as Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande, and various technical awards.

[08:01] Quincy Brown
"It's not surprising to me that it has such a heavy showing in, like, the design categories because it was such a force in that regard."

While Quincy expresses disappointment over the lack of a Best Director nomination for Jon M. Chu, both hosts remain optimistic about the prospects of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande winning in their respective acting categories.

[09:14] Kevin Bianchi
"Emilia Perez was so good. And I do not understand all of the hate it is getting online."
[09:52] Quincy Brown
"That's my 2 cents on Emilia."

The conversation shifts to address online criticism of the movie, with Kevin defending Emilia Perez's performance and emphasizing the beauty of musical theater in conveying deep emotions.

Interview with Caroline Bowman

[15:40] Kevin Bianchi
"We have Caroline Bowman back with us after five years."

Caroline Bowman shares her impressive Broadway resume, highlighting her roles in Wicked, Kinky Boots, the Evita Tour, and most recently, her role as Karen in the revival of Smash. She recounts her experience performing as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, describing the evening as "the most electric afternoon in a theater" she has ever experienced.

Notable Quote:
[11:21] Kevin Bianchi
"This episode is brought to you by Shopify... I miss Kinky Boots."

[17:19] Caroline Bowman
"Josh Burgasse, our amazing choreographer, came up to me and was like, do you want to run through some dances? Because he is nurturing me through coming back to Caroline Bowman dance skills."

Caroline discusses the challenges and triumphs of balancing her touring commitments with securing a principal role on Broadway. She elaborates on the serendipitous nature of auditioning for Smash, detailing the obstacles she overcame, including a difficult Zoom audition during her Frozen tour.

[26:21] Kevin Bianchi
"You went to Caroline's performance as Norma. Tell me everything."
[37:14] Quincy Brown
"That's insane."

Caroline reflects on the support she received from fellow artists and the Broadway community, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and trusting the universe's plan for her career.

[43:48] Caroline Bowman
"I do have so many ideas, and I want to create and be here to create, but I'm not here to create."
[44:00] Kevin Bianchi
"You seem like a workhorse."

She candidly shares the emotional and mental challenges of being an understudy and standby, discussing the pressure of potentially stepping into a role with high expectations and her strategies for managing nerves and self-doubt.

Caroline's Journey and Future Projects

[46:28] Kevin Bianchi
"You never stood by for Elphaba, Right?"
[57:08] Kevin Bianchi
"Is Norma of your big four, Elsa Elphaba, Evita Nulla."

Caroline speaks about her evolution as a performer, tracing how her role as Elsa in Frozen affirmed her calling and helped her grow into more demanding roles like Norma in Sunset Boulevard. She shares her aspirations to produce an album and develop a solo show, leveraging the momentum from her recent successes.

Notable Quote:
[60:12] Caroline Bowman
"I came back and I was on a roll."

Viewing The Wicked Movie

[63:35] Kevin Bianchi
"You went to the Friends and Family premiere. Was that the first time you had seen it?"
[68:37] Caroline Bowman
"They needed me to hold down the fort. Cuz they had like 20 Glindas and like four Elphabas."

Caroline recounts her humorous and unexpected experience attending the Wicked movie premiere, highlighting her interactions with fellow performers like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. She praises the film's portrayal of Defying Gravity and the thoughtful character development.

[69:07] Caroline Bowman
"I thought it was so well done because that's what I've been saying for years is I'm like, how are they going to do Defying Gravity?"
[70:28] Caroline Bowman
"Ariana is amazing. I think she's an amazing Glinda."

Despite the initial confusion, Caroline appreciates the movie's artistry and the performances of the lead actresses, reaffirming her support for the Wicked community.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks to Caroline Bowman for sharing her inspiring journey and insights into the world of musical theater. Quincy and Kevin encourage listeners to support Caroline's upcoming performances and her role in Smash. They also extend gratitude to the Broadway Podcast Network team and promote their social media channels for further engagement.

[75:13] Kevin Bianchi
"You can find Sentimental Men on Instagram, TikTok and xentmenpod, or you can email us@sentmenpodmail.com till next time."

Key Takeaways

• Caroline Bowman's Broadway Success: From touring as Elsa in Frozen to originating Karen in Smash, Caroline Bowman exemplifies dedication and versatility in musical theater.

• Breaking Barriers in Wicked: The casting of Lencia Cabetta as the first full-time Black Elphaba marks a significant moment for diversity and representation on Broadway.

• Anticipated Wicked Movie: With 10 Oscar nominations, the film adaptation of Wicked is set to make a notable impact, despite some controversies and discussions surrounding its direction.

• Perseverance in the Arts: Caroline's story underscores the importance of resilience, community support, and unwavering passion in navigating the challenges of a Broadway career.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Bowman at [11:21]:
  "This is my third time seeing this production. It was just really, really a special night that I will remember always."

• Quincy Brown at [03:02]:
  "I still don't think so. Or the Internet disagreed with you and Marcia, by the way."

• Caroline Bowman at [26:21]:
  "I drove out there with my two dance captains from my tour because they were like, let's let us come, and we'll perfect you."

Sentimental Men continues to celebrate and explore the contributions of remarkable women in musical theater, offering listeners intimate conversations and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the Broadway world.