Takin' a Walk – "Extraordinary Multi-Talented Broadway Star Charl Brown: A Walk Through Music History"

Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Charl Brown
Air Date: November 16, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Takin’ a Walk features an in-depth conversation with Tony-nominated Broadway star Charl Brown. Host Buzz Knight explores Charl’s unique journey from a sports-minded childhood through serendipitous events leading into musical theater and his acclaimed portrayal of Smokey Robinson in Motown the Musical. The episode dives into his experience on Broadway and the West End, his work with The Doo Wop Project, and the enduring importance of live theater and musical community—all enriched by personal reflections, memorable stories, and motivations driving his career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charl’s Serendipitous Entry into Theater

• Sports Family Background: Charl grew up in an athletic family where a future in baseball seemed likely.
• Pivotal Accident: A broken arm during an eighth-grade All-Star baseball game led him away from sports and toward auditioning for Annie, setting him on a lifelong path in the performing arts.
• Family Expectations and Shifts:

  "Athletics was a big part of my upbringing and was sort of like, quote, unquote, expected of me."
  (15:07 – 15:29)

2. Transformative Broadway Moments

• Breakthrough as Smokey Robinson: Charl discusses how he learned of his Tony nomination, waking early just in time to see the announcement.

  “Lo and behold, especially with my last name being Brown, I was the first one in my category to be named, and my picture went up and then my phone blew up and the rest is history.”
  (07:33 – 08:36)

• Preparation for Portraying a Legend:

  • Focused on capturing Smokey Robinson’s vocal qualities and stage presence by immersing himself in interviews, recordings, and Robinson’s autobiography.

  “You have to get that right in order to play someone with such a legendary voice...so I tried to get that down first.”
  (08:43 – 09:37)

• Tony Night Reflections: Emotional recollection of red carpet moments, kindness from the Broadway community, and the profound pride of being nominated.

  “To be pulling up to the red carpet after having done my matinee from my Tony Award nominated performance... I will start crying if I start talking about it too long.”
  (11:23 – 13:16)

3. International Stages and Revelations

• Motown’s Impact in London:
  Charl was surprised by the enthusiastic, sometimes rowdy UK audiences and the global appeal of Motown music.

  “The UK audiences were even more so [rowdy]...so much so that we even had to stop the show a couple times, if I recall, because of the rowdiness of the crowd.”
  (09:51 – 11:13)

4. Athletics and Broadway: Parallel Disciplines

• Physical & Mental Demands: Drawing parallels between sports training and the discipline required to perform at a Broadway level—eight shows a week, auditions, rehearsals, and the physicality of theater.

  "We are athletes. What we do is not only very athletic, but you have to have the same discipline and conditioning off the stage or off the field that the athletes do."
  (15:29 – 16:39)

5. Life in New York and Favorite Spaces

• Memories Around the Theater District:
  After 20 years in the city, every block is filled with reminders of auditions, shows, and creative pursuits.
• Finding Peace in Harlem:
  Walking by the Hudson River in Hamilton Heights helps Charl maintain his mental health amid the bustle of NYC.

  "The river aspect of my neighborhood is actually what keeps my mental health together, because I can just hop over there one block and all of a sudden be in nature."
  (06:14 – 06:57)

6. The Doo Wop Project – Preserving Musical Heritage

• Origins and Growth:
  What started as a “side gig” among Broadway friends who performed in Jersey Boys has grown into a touring sensation, blending classic doo-wop with contemporary stylings—75 gigs a year, five albums, and international acclaim.

  “It really has been quite a blessing in disguise. It's like one of those things that you never could have thought would work the way it has, but there is a demand for it.”
  (23:11 – 25:57)

• Community and Universality:
  Live performance creates a unique shared experience that transcends technology and generational divides.

  “The one thing that is irreplaceable is the experience of live music or live theater together with other beating human hearts in the same place.”
  (26:13 – 28:02)

• International Reach:
  The group’s visit to China underscored music’s power to bridge language and cultural barriers.

7. Touring Life vs. Broadway Routine

• Traveling Rigor:
  Road life means adapting: less consistent sleep, searching for healthy food and exercise opportunities, and camaraderie with bandmates.

  “You really have to...the travel is what takes a lot out of us...when you're traveling so much, you need your immune system to be good because you're around people.”
  (28:11 – 31:05)

• Personal Rituals:
  Charl maintains a workout regime before every show—he finds that ‘when my body is warm, my voice is warm’.

  “My warmup is to go to the gym. And I feel like I can sing a lot better once I've done that.”
  (29:32 – 31:05)

8. Dream Roles and Creative Aspirations

• Curtis in Dreamgirls:
  Charl’s favorite role, longing for the chance to play Curtis Taylor Jr. on Broadway.

  “I've been fortunate enough to play Curtis Taylor Jr....regionally...I would love to get to play that part again in New York on Broadway.”
  (31:12 – 32:00)

• Originating a Role:
  His truest dream is to “originate another character out of the blue”—melding acting, singing, and dancing in a role that showcases every facet of his artistry.

  “My actual dream role is something that hasn’t been written yet or that we’re unaware of yet. I really want to originate another character out of the blue so that people haven’t come to know yet but will come to know as me first.”
  (31:12 – 32:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Playing Smokey Robinson and Preparation:

  “I could research a lot of the clips of him being interviewed and singing. So I tried to get that down first. But then also, of course, I read his autobiography, which really gave me a lot of insight to his point of view and his mindset.”
  (08:43 – 09:37)

• On the Power of Live Theater:

  “There has always been the ritual of coming together and expressing oneself through song or through spoken word or through dance or through visual arts or some sort of. That really is what makes us human.”
  (26:13 – 28:02)

• Tour Memories with Adam Lambert:

  “Adam Lambert was my roommate, and he was the only person tall enough for me to borrow clothes from, so I had to borrow his clothes the whole trip.”
  (21:35 – 22:57)

• On Community, Across Generations:

  “Four generations of family members can come to the same show...even the kids will find something new in this music.”
  (25:36 – 25:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charl’s "walk with Beyonce" wish: 04:42 – 05:07
• Memories of theater district and NY life: 05:11 – 06:57
• Tony nomination moment: 07:22 – 08:36
• Portraying Smokey Robinson: 08:43 – 09:37
• West End and Motown's global impact: 09:51 – 11:13
• Tony Awards and community pride: 11:23 – 13:16
• From baseball to Broadway: 13:16 – 15:07
• Acting as athletics: 15:29 – 16:39
• Touring with Doo Wop Project: 23:05 – 25:57
• Music as universal language/community: 26:13 – 28:02
• Touring vs Broadway routines: 28:11 – 31:05
• Dream roles and future aspirations: 31:12 – 33:06

Conclusion

Charl Brown's journey is a testament to resilience, the interplay between athletic discipline and artistic passion, and the enduring magic of live music. Through his Broadway successes, his global touring adventures, and his heartfelt advocacy for musical community, Charl offers inspiration and authenticity—reminding listeners of the power found in both dreams and detours.

“No matter what, they can never take this away from me. I will forever, you know, be a Tony nominee until I'm a Tony winner someday.”
(13:16)