The Party After The Party!

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Broadway Show: Uncut - Episode: "The Party After The Party!"

Release Date: June 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the special episode titled "The Party After The Party!" of The Broadway Show: Uncut, host Tamsen Fadal takes listeners behind the scenes of the annual Tony Awards celebration held at the iconic Carlisle Hotel. This episode features intimate interviews with some of Broadway's most celebrated stars and Tony Award winners, offering a glimpse into their experiences, emotions, and reflections following a night of recognition and celebration.

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Interview with Natalie Venet: Triumph and Reflection

Segment Timestamp: 00:04 – 04:29

Natalie Venet, the Tony Award-winning star of Buena Vista Social Club, shares her overwhelming joy and gratitude upon receiving the prestigious accolade.

• Emotional Impact: Natalie expresses her elation, stating, “I am over the moon. I feel so good, which is an understatement. I'm over the moon.” (00:39) Her excitement is palpable as she reminisces about her return to the stage, drawing parallels to her previous win with Avenue Q two decades ago.

• Collaborative Spirit: She highlights the camaraderie among the cast, emphasizing the close-knit relationships forged during the tight-knit off-Broadway days. “We are all. We have all made a thing. We've all made a baby.” (01:13) This metaphor underscores the collective effort and unity that contributed to their success.

• Creative Passion: Natalie discusses her affinity for original works and innovative projects, saying, “I enjoy that process and making it work and putting all the puzzle pieces together.” (02:02) Her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries is evident, reflecting her desire to create unique and impactful theater.

• Moment of Acceptance: Upon hearing her name announced as a winner, she describes a mix of relief and accomplishment: “When I heard my name, it was a major sense of relief, you know. Oh, my God, it was such a relief.” (03:53) This moment signifies the culmination of her hard work and dedication to her craft.

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Interview with Francis Chu: Legacy and Advocacy

Segment Timestamp: 04:40 – 15:43

Francis Chu, another prominent Tony Award winner for his role in Yellowface, provides a heartfelt narrative about his journey, achievements, and the broader significance of theater in society.

• Career Milestones: Francis reflects on his Tony win, expressing humility and gratitude. “I am overwhelmed and having the absolute best time of my life whilst also being completely exhausted, which I think actually encapsulates my entire Broadway experience.” (07:36) He also mentions his previous Olivier Award win in London, highlighting the international recognition of his work.

• Passion for Theater: He delves into his dedication to the arts, explaining how his love for the writers and their unique blend of horror and comedy led him to O Mar. “I come in as a big fan of the writers. I loved their work. They wrote these horror comedy plays that I just loved, and I was desperate to work with them.” (08:40)

• Significance of Yellowface: Francis emphasizes the play's relevance in addressing critical societal issues. “We’re living at a time when not just the arts are being threatened, but free speech is being threatened... theater has a role to play in all of that.” (12:16) He articulates how Yellowface explores themes of immigration, parenthood, and societal coexistence, making it a pivotal work in contemporary theater.

• Personal Achievement: Discussing his Tony acceptance speech, Francis reveals the thoughtful preparation behind his words. “I was like, this has been wild... I put a lot of thought into it because we're in a crisis.” (12:12) His speech was not just a personal victory but a message to the community about the enduring importance of theater.

• Community Representation: Highlighting the rarity of Asian representation in Tony Awards, Francis remarks, “This means a lot to a lot of people... it's not since 1989 that an Asian person has been one for being in a play on Broadway.” (14:22) This achievement underscores his role as a trailblazer and advocate for diversity in the arts.

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Interview with Jack Malone: A Night to Remember

Segment Timestamp: 05:39 – 07:26

Jack Malone, the Tony Award winner for Operation Mincemeat, engages in a light-hearted and candid conversation about his experiences and the significance of the Tony Awards.

• Unexpected Victory: Jack shares his surprise at winning, especially given the show's closure before the awards. “You know, I never thought anything like this was going to happen. Our show closed right before Thanksgiving.” (10:05) This twist of fate adds an element of serendipity to his achievement.

• The Tony Suit Story: He recounts the meaningful gift of his Tony Award suit from Alvin Ng, connecting it to Broadway history. “20 years ago, I finally met Alvin Ng... he wanted me to wear it when I accepted my Tony Award.” (10:46) This gesture symbolizes the passing of traditions and the personal bonds within the Broadway community.

• Sense of Belonging: Jack humorously reflects on his status as a Broadway star, questioning the permanence of fame. “You're only as good as your next job, so. No, I have no. Nothing lined up. So I'm old news.” (07:00) This self-deprecating remark highlights the fleeting nature of success in the performing arts.

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Closing Remarks

Host Tamsen Fadal wraps up the episode by celebrating the achievements of the featured stars and emphasizing the collective success of the Broadway community. The episode not only highlights individual triumphs but also underscores the importance of unity, diversity, and the enduring power of theater.

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Key Takeaways

• Emotional Journeys: The recipients of the Tony Awards share deeply personal reflections, illustrating the emotional highs and lows of their careers.

• Community and Collaboration: Success in Broadway is portrayed as a collective effort, with strong bonds and mutual support among cast and crew.

• Advocacy Through Art: The guests emphasize the role of theater in addressing societal issues, advocating for free speech, diversity, and community representation.

• Legacy and Representation: Achievements like Francis Chu's Tony win signify important strides in diversity and representation on Broadway, inspiring future generations.

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Notable Quotes

• Natalie Venet on returning to Broadway: “I enjoy that process and making it work and putting all the puzzle pieces together.” (02:02)

• Francis Chu on the role of theater: “It’s entertainment, and it can make us laugh at ourselves, at other people, but it also helps us recognize other people as people.” (12:17)

• Francis Chu on his Tony acceptance: “I'm flying high from adrenaline right now, but I'm also, like, feeling really grounded by the responsibility of being able to represent, you know, a community.” (14:22)

• Jack Malone on his Tony suit: “I know what I'm gonna wear. I have this figured out.” (11:26)

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This episode of The Broadway Show: Uncut offers an enriching exploration of the triumphs and tribulations faced by Broadway's finest, providing listeners with an authentic and heartfelt portrayal of life after the Tony Awards.

Transcript

[Tamsen Fadal]

Welcome to a stacked episode of the Broadway show Uncut. I'm Tamsen Fadal. So we're flashing back to Tony night and our annual party after the party. Every year, Broadway's biggest stars and Tony Award winners come to the iconic Carlisle Hotel and party all night long. In this episode of the podcast, we've got four quick interviews for you with some of the night's biggest winners. First up, I had a chance to chat with the Tony Award winning star of Buena Vista Social Club, Natalie Venet.

[Paul Wontorek]

Well, we're just gonna jump right in.

[Tamsen Fadal]

How are you?

[Paul Wontorek]

How are you feeling?

[Natalie Venet]

I am over the moon. I feel so good, which is an understatement. I'm over the moon.

[Paul Wontorek]

What was it like to be back? Because I know that that's what you referenced when you first came up to the stage.

[Natalie Venet]

Yeah. I mean, it feels, you know, in this way in the show, portraying this.

[Call Escola]

Person.

[Natalie Venet]

This is the best way. It's the absolute best way to come back.

[Paul Wontorek]

What does the story meant to you and the cast and working alongside them through this whole process?

[Natalie Venet]

So I had a relationship with those people off Broadway. And because the space was so tight, we were literally sharing a dressing room. It was like a curtain, you know, it was a little space and curtains that made a dressing. It was a dressing room and all the girls were in one thing. And so, you know, we got really, really close. The space right now is much more spread out and we have some new people, but everybody gets along. All of that being said, it is. We are all. We have all made a thing. We've all made a baby.

[Call Escola]

Right.

[Paul Wontorek]

You could feel it, though, when everybody came to the stage.

[Natalie Venet]

Yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

You got a little emotional at the end there.

[Natalie Venet]

Yeah, yeah.

[Paul Wontorek]

What was going through your mind as.

[Natalie Venet]

You'Re looking at it? Because it's. Again, the last time I was. The last time I was there was Avenue Q. It was literally 20 years ago, was the 58th Tony Awards. And that was a shock, that win. We were shocked. We were the little show, you know, that could. And in a lot of ways, this one felt the same. I like to do things that are different. Most of my resume is original pieces. I enjoy that process and making it work and putting all the puzzle pieces together. And so there are a lot of similarities. And we cleaned up pretty well tonight. We did pretty well tonight. And then the band got their own special thing.

[Paul Wontorek]

Yeah.

[Natalie Venet]

And we just got a best ensemble. Was it Tuesday? Yeah, we just got a best ensemble also. We've done it well. We've done well.

[Paul Wontorek]

I feel like the war season just takes everything by storm.

[Natalie Venet]

Yes. And again, it's very much like Avenue Q. It was. It was kind of like I was in two places at the same time. Because it was not what Avenue Q turned out to be. Was not expected. I just chose to do it because what I read was bizarre. It was completely ridiculous and it had never been done before. And this was this too. I'm attracted to different. And if it's for the stage and it hasn't been done before, even if it's not figured out, I'm in. I'm all for it. We'll find the way.

[Paul Wontorek]

When you hear your name, I'm always curious, what does that feel like when you wrote, when it processes for the. You hear your name.

[Natalie Venet]

Yeah. So, you know, I can't speak for the rest of them, but I'm going to bet that you're always hoping it's you and you might even think it's you. You know, there's 98% of the chance, you know it's gonna be me, but there is that little, like, what if it's not? So when I heard my name, it was a major sense of relief, you know. Oh, my God, it was such a relief.

[Call Escola]

It really was.

[Natalie Venet]

Yeah. I worked really hard for this. I did.

[Paul Wontorek]

I'm so happy for you.

[Natalie Venet]

Thank you.

[Paul Wontorek]

Thank you so much.

[Natalie Venet]

Thank you.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Up next, Paul Wontorek talked with the Tony winning star and creator of the insane Broadway comedy O Mar. Call Escola.

[Jack Malone]

Call Escola. Tony Award winner.

[Call Escola]

Wow.

[Jack Malone]

You've been hearing since O Mary started this maybe moment could happen.

[Francis Chu]

Right. You know, really weird, crazy people said that to me, so I didn't know. I didn't know.

[Call Escola]

Yeah.

[Francis Chu]

Like you, frankly. Sorry, no offense, but yeah. But I don't know, I feel, you know, I've seen for your consideration. I know how that goes.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah.

[Natalie Venet]

You know, I didn't even get nominated.

[Francis Chu]

Yeah.

[Jack Malone]

What was it like actually taking the stage, seeing all those people out there.

[Francis Chu]

And I don't remember anything that I said.

[Call Escola]

Really?

[Francis Chu]

It was great. Oh, thanks.

[Call Escola]

It was great.

[Francis Chu]

I remember. I really don't. I remembered thinking, I gotta get to this stage because they. I only have 90 seconds from when they call my name. And I wanted to say my as many thank yous as possible, but I don't remember who I thanked. And so then I came off afterwards and I went to Sam and I was like, did I think. Did I say Lucas's name? Did I say Carly's name? Did I say, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jack Malone]

Amy Sedaris.

[Francis Chu]

Yeah. She texted me, so, yeah, I said her name.

[Jack Malone]

You must feel extremely embraced by Broadway. I mean, this whole year has really been, you know, the show obviously was a big hit. Off Broadway, came to Broadway and everyone was like, what's. How's this going to work on Broadway? And it just gangbusters.

[Call Escola]

Yeah.

[Francis Chu]

I mean, it's the whole cast, you know, Conrad Rickamora and James Scully and Bianca Lee and Tony mocks. Like, I. We're just a little unit and. Yeah, I don't know.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you're just kind of in the work.

[Francis Chu]

Yeah, yeah. We just moved that a little further uptown. It doesn't feel any different, you know, except we do have our own dressing rooms now. We didn't at the Lortel. We all shared one little hallway.

[Jack Malone]

So what do you want your career to look like?

[Call Escola]

This is the end.

[Francis Chu]

This is it.

[Call Escola]

This.

[Francis Chu]

I. Why, how could I top this? Can they at home know that it's 4:06am? Can we tell them that? It's very chic.

[Jack Malone]

The party's actually clearing out. Yeah, but you've been. Yeah, you've been the belle of the ball and it's been hard to get your attention, but I'm thrilled you're here. Where is the actual Tony Award?

[Francis Chu]

I put it in my room. I got a room.

[Jack Malone]

Oh, you got a room. Yeah. Fancy.

[Call Escola]

I love it.

[Jack Malone]

Your life.

[Francis Chu]

Yeah.

[Jack Malone]

So do you feel like you're a real, like, Broadway star at this point with the Tony Award and the room at the Carlisle?

[Francis Chu]

You're only as good as your next job, so. No, I have no. Nothing lined up. So I'm old news.

[Jack Malone]

I think Elaine Stretch thought that way. And she lived here.

[Francis Chu]

And she lived here.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah.

[Francis Chu]

Maybe it's just rubbing off on me.

[Jack Malone]

Maybe you could become. You could follow her.

[Francis Chu]

I would love to. I would love to. Yeah.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Jack Malone took home the trophy for his work in Operation Mincemeat. We had a chance to chat.

[Paul Wontorek]

How are you feeling?

[Francis Jew]

I am overwhelmed and having the absolute best time of my life whilst also being completely exhausted, which I think actually encapsulates my entire Broadway experience.

[Paul Wontorek]

But you're allowed to be, right? Oh, yes, you are allowed to be. Let's talk about this, because this is the second big win now, right, Olivier.

[Francis Jew]

Yes. I was very fortunate to win an Olivier back in London, which was like, just the biggest, craziest thing that's ever happened to me. But then I just didn't know that Broadway was in the pipeline and that I would get here and that they would be so kind as to give me the highest accolade that they could offer. I'm so. I'm humbled by it. And I don't. And I know that's kind of cliche, but I think there's a tendency. You give someone an award and they go, yeah, I'm the best. But I'm like, wow. Little. I'm only so little, though.

[Jack Malone]

And you gave me the.

[Paul Wontorek]

It just has to feel so, so, so well deserved.

[Francis Jew]

Thank you so much.

[Tamsen Fadal]

So well deserved.

[Paul Wontorek]

Tell me, what are your thoughts about the show? And, you know, why did you say yes and talk a little bit about that?

[Francis Jew]

I didn't say yes. I said please. Okay, so fair enough.

[Paul Wontorek]

Fair enough.

[Francis Jew]

I came in as a big fan of the writers. I loved their work. They wrote these horror comedy plays that I just loved, and I was desperate to work with them, and I lobbied them. You've got to let me be in one of your shows. So then when they announced they were writing a musical, I was like, great. That's what I do. And I do it well, and you better let me be in it. And they. They very. They. They let me audition. They're on record as being like, fine, we'll let him. We'll give him a. We'll. He can come in. It'll be a day out. And I was in the show ever since. And it's. I'm biased, but it's my favorite musical of all time. I think it is exceptional. I'm so honored to be a part of it and to have that in my legacy and have me wrapped up in the legacy of the show. I'm so, so delighted that I liked the right people.

[Paul Wontorek]

Well, I'm glad that you asked, and I'm so glad that you're there, and I'm sure they feel the same way.

[Francis Jew]

Yeah, it's been wonderful.

[Paul Wontorek]

You're very delightful. Thank you so much.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Thank you so much.

[Call Escola]

Thank you for having me.

[Tamsen Fadal]

Finally, Francis Jew also picked up a Tony on Broadway's biggest night for his incredible work in the play Yellowface. Here's Paul Wontorek with that interview.

[Jack Malone]

You've had such a long, beautiful career.

[Call Escola]

I have had a long, beautiful career.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah.

[Call Escola]

I have been so, so lucky. And. But I never thought anything like this was going to happen. Our show closed right before Thanksgiving.

[Jack Malone]

Right, right.

[Call Escola]

You know, it's roundabout. It's nonprofit theater. You know, it was a play revival, so I wasn't truly wasn't expecting anything. And so when it happens, and it fulfilled a lot of, like, Lee Silverman's Predictions. I was really kind of flabbergasted. I didn't really know what to do even. So I went shopping and I talked to friends who gave me advice on, like, what to do if you actually did win and, you know, and what to do if you lost. So this has been wild.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah. What's the story about the suit?

[Call Escola]

Oh, my God. 20 years ago, I finally met Alvin Ng, who I had idolized since I got my original recording of Pacific overtures back in 1976. And when we closed the show, he gave me this tux, and he explained to me that he had had it made for him when he was opening Pacific Overtures in 1976. And he wanted me to have it, and he told me that he wanted me to wear it when I accepted my Tony Award. God's honest truth. And so, you know, I'm so sorry to all the stylists who approached my agents, but I was like, I know what I'm gonna wear.

[Jack Malone]

Had this figured out for a very long time.

[Call Escola]

I have this figured out.

[Jack Malone]

So has it just been, like, in a bag in the closet? Like, just waiting for the Tony moment?

[Call Escola]

I had forgotten that I had it. You know, I was. As soon as the nominations came out, I was, of course, stressed out. Like, everyone is about what to wear, and I don't buy things for myself. You know, I'm a worker bee kind of actor, and so I get clothes from the shows that I do, but I can't wear those, you know, on red carpets. So I had to go out and shop. And every time another event came up, I was, like, running to Nordstrom's.

[Jack Malone]

You gave a beautiful speech. You did a good job. What did you really want to convey? What did you really want? When you put those words together, you put thought into it, whether it's going to happen or not. What did you really want people to take from it?

[Call Escola]

You know, I think theater matters. I think that a lot of that.

[Jack Malone]

Tonight, I feel like that a lot.

[Call Escola]

Of space, there's a lot of that because we're living at a time when not just the arts are being threatened, but free speech is being threatened, when citizenship is being threatened, and where, you know, people in our own communities are being disappeared. And so right now, I think that there's nothing like the theater in terms of standing up and actually getting people to ask questions, getting people to articulate what it means to be an American right now, what it means to have neighbors and to live in the same world with other people. We're all being bombarded. We're being forced to answer these questions now. And theater has a role to play in all of that. It's entertainment, and it can make us laugh at ourselves, at other people, but it also helps us recognize other people as people. And so Yellowface was just, to me, a great example of that. David Henry Huang's compassion and humanity. His relationship with his dad, especially, as complicated as that was, said a lot about what it means to be an immigrant, to be a parent, to be a son, to be a neighbor. I don't expect to have public opportunity to say anything to a big audience. And I thought, well, if I do get the opportunity to be at that mic, I've got to say something, because we're in a crisis.

[Jack Malone]

You've spent over 40 years on the New York stage, so when you get this thing, I mean, I feel like you're already committed to the theater world. You're a real theater guy. You're a real part of this community. What is this? Does it give you extra spark or. I mean, what does it really mean to be holding that?

[Call Escola]

You know, you said it's heavy. Besides the fact that my arms are really sore from carrying it around tonight, it does. I mean, lots of people are coming up to me saying, now you will always be Tony winner Francis Chu. And that's great, and, like, beyond any of my dreams. But what more people have been saying to me, people that I grew up with here in New York, cut my teeth with, are saying, this feels like it was a win for all of us. This, you have to know. I hope, you know that this means a lot to a lot of people. And so, you know, I'm flying high from adrenaline right now, but I'm also, like, feeling really grounded by the responsibility of being able to represent, you know, a community and on occasion, get to speak on behalf. So this. This. This means a lot. Because it's not since 1989 that an Asian person is one for being in a play on Broadway when BD won. And they just so happen to both be placed by David Henry Wong. Yeah.

[Jack Malone]

Yeah. Well, I'm so thrilled for you. I can't wait to see what you do next. Always.

[Call Escola]

Well, thank you. Me, too.

[Tamsen Fadal]

And that's going to do it for this Tony Awards special of the Broadway show Uncut. Until next time, I'm Tamsen Fadal.