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PODCAST

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb

Broadway Podcast Network

Celebrating extreme excellence in theater, film and tv, this podcast takes listeners all over the world on a journey behind the scenes featuring never-before-heard stories from Academy Award winners, Tony Award winners, Golden Globe Award winners, and so much more. Co-Hosts Eila Mell, bestselling author (The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre) and renowned podcast host, and Bruce Gotleib, who has never met an Awards show he doesn’t like, take guests through their experience of being

tv & film

All Episodes

31:01

#112 - Benjamin Pajak - Leading the Next Generation...

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/07/30

Broadway and Film Star Benjamin Pajak joined Behind the Awards to chat about his experience starring in The Music Man alongside Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster, playing Oliver at New York City Center. Next up for Benjamin are the films The Life of Chuck with Tom Hiddleston & Mark Hamill, Playdate starring Kevin James & Alan Ritchson, and Tiny Fugitives with Johnny Knoxville. Benjamin also shares what it’s like to do a workshop of a new musical (The Lost Boys). He also tells up about his first job in

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33:30

#111 - Immediate Family - Live with Phylicia Rashad,...

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/07/23

Tony Winner Phylicia Rashad Directs the Pre Broadway run of Paul Oakley Stovall’s Immediate Family. This run will take place at the Blumenthal Arts Center from July 29th through August. Immediate Features Christina Sajous, Elijah Jones, Freddie Fulton, Britney Coleman, Andy Mientus, Kai Almeda Heath with Costumes by Colleen Morris-Glennon.Get your tickets at - https://www.blumenthalarts.org/ Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books:

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36:25

#110 - Douglas Lyons - Writing to Heal the Heart

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/07/16

Playwright and Actor Douglas Lyons joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current off Broadway hit Beau and previous works such as Chicken and Biscuits, Table 17 and Parade with Michael Arden. Also on this episode - Lilly Tomlin’s 1974 Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy & Variety Special. Douglas Lyons is a 2X Emmy nominated multi-hyphenate artist. As a writer, he earned a GLAAD nomination for his Broadway playwriting debut, Chicken and Biscuits, which was the 2nd most produced play in

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75:24

#109 - J Savage - Smashing Broadway

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/07/09

J Savage joins Behind the Awards to chat about Smash from Audition to Closing, Understudying Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical, and turbulence that was part of his Broadway Debut in Bad Cinderella.Also in this episode - Harvey Fierstein’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. Plus Joy the Musical. J Savage, also known as Jonathan, is an NYC based artist and outdoorsman most recently seen in SMASH on Broadway, just down the street from the Marquis theatre where he recently was in the ensemble

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29:28

#108 - Rupert Holmes - Escape with Pirates

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/07/02

Tony Award Winning Writer/Composer stops by Behind the Awards to discuss adapting Pirates into the Jazz age as as his other hits such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Curtains….Don’t forget the Pina Colada Song.Also in this episode - Catherine Zeta Jone’s 2010 Tony win for A Little Night Music and Chess Revival finds a home at The Imperial Theater. Plus new music and workshop from the Broadway bound Wanted featuring Solea Pfeiffer, Liisi LaFontaine, and Will Swenson. Rupert Holmes is a

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61:42

#107 - Lea & Drew Lachey - Breaking Boundaries

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/25

Husband/Wife creative team Lea & Drew Lachey visit Behind the Awards to discuss their Original Theatrical Experience Label-less which recently enjoyed an Off-Broadway run at Theater Row. Drew brings his 98 Degrees & Broadway (Rent & Spamalot) experience to this one of a kind show coupled with the storytelling of Lea’s choreography. Also in this episode - 2010 Tony Awards with Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane. Drew Lachey - Drew Lachey's an accomplished singer, dancer and actor. Drew first

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58:45

#106 - David Rothenberg - Manhattan Mayhem

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/20

Broadway Publisist, Activist and Radio Host David Rothenberg joined behind the awards to discuss his legendary life, career and his new book Manhattan Mayhem. David dishes about working with Bette Davis, Lauren Becall, Linda Lavin, Stephen Sondheim and his one time encounter with Joan Crawford. David has also been a witness to history and tells us about what I was like being part of the Attica riots and starting the Fortune Society with $32.Also in this episode - Stuart Zagnit & Harrison Bryan

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39:26

#105 - Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now - Theater Friends

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/20

Off the heels of their duet at Maestrea Amplify 2025 Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now come to Behind the Awards to talk about working together on The Loophole at The Public Theater as well as their upcoming projects. Antwayan can be seen on ABC’s Will Trent Season Three and Zeniba’s show Take the Lead which she did Music & Lyrics for had its World Premier at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Also a recording artist Zeniba’s music can be found on Spotify. Also in this episode - Francis Jue’s 2025 Tony Win

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40:12

#104 - Joe Rosko - Built for the Stage

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/18

Founder and Fitness Coach to the theater community Joe Rosko joins Behind the Awards to chat about his journey with Fitness and Performing. Joe shares Fitness tips and also give some of his favorite performance in the most recent seasons.Also in this episode - Celia Keenan-Bolger’s 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award and her start of the Gavin Creel Fellowship with the help of Sara Bareilles, Catherine Brunell and in partnership with The American Theater Wing.

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51:32

#103 - Lena Hall - Wants to do it all…and she does!

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/13

Tony Winner Lena Hall joins Behind the Awards to chat about her new series on Apple TV Your Friends and Neighbors. Lena shares her experience working with Jon Hamm and playing his sister. Lena tells us her Tony nomination/win story for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Friends and Neighbors is now streaming as well Lena’s Friends and Neighbors EP.Also on this episode - NY City Center Encores announces its 2025-2026 Season; Bat Boy The Musical, Directed by Tony Winner Alex Timbers; High Spirits,

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51:57

#102 - Wendi McLendon-Covey - Is Playing Doctor

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/11

The hilarious Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Behind the Awards to give us a prescription for laughter with her series St. Denis Medical. Wendi shares what it’s like to work with such veterans as David Alan Grier, George Segal and Allison Tolman. From Bridesmaids to Reno 911 to The Goldbergs Wendi proves time and time again that she is a master of comedy. Season 1 is currently streaming on Peacock.Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce recap the 2025 Tony Awards with their expert Matt Stashin. From

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45:09

#101 - Carrie Preston - Stealing Scenes and Solving...

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/06

Emmy Winner Carrie Preston joins Behind the Awards to chat about her career and starring in the CBS hit Elsbeth which was just renewed for a 3rd Season. Carrie takes us into Elsbeth’s world including her fashion, quirks and creating a Columbo for a new generation. Carrie also discusses the evolution of the character from The Good Wife to The Good Fight to now.Also in this episode - S. Epatha Merkerson Emmy Win for Lackawanna Blues Carrie Preston continues to reprise her Emmy Award-winning

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45:27

#100 - Robert Horn - Getting Shucked in London

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/06

Tony winner Robert Horn takes a rehearsal break to share all he has going on across the pond. From Shucked to Disney’s Hercules Robert is taking London by storm. Robert takes us back to the start of his career as a TV writer on Designing Women and Living Single, which opened the door for his Broadway dreams. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce celebrate their 100th episode! Plus Pen Pals starring Nancy McKeon coming back to NY and will be running at DR2 Theater August 15, 2025, through November

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47:47

#99 - Kip Williams - The Wizardry of Dorian Gray

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/04

Tony Nominee Writer/Director joins Behind the Awards to discuss the creation of The Picture of Dorian Gray alongside Sarah Snook. Kip shares how his vision married technology and art to create Oscar Wilde’s novel for this generation.Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss the announcement of Darren Criss and Renee Else Goldsberry as the hosts of The Tony Awards streaming on PlutoTV at 6:40pmEST, Sunday June 8th. As well as Montego Glover taking over the role of Rose for 8 performances in

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33:50

#98 - 2025 Tony Bonus #5

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/06/02

Eila & Bruce bring you the fifth and final installment of their 2025 Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Best Musical, Best Play, Scenic Design of a Musical, Lead Actor of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Musical. Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Simard, Darren Criss, Andrew Durand, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeremy Jordan, Rachel Hauck,

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35:08

#97 - Ben Stanton - Lighting Up Broadway

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/05/30

4 time Tony Nominee Ben Stanton stops by Behind the Awards to share his process on lighting such shows as Maybe Happy Ending, The Notebook and Spring Awakening. Ben goes into detail about the innovative tech that went into Maybe Happy Ending and his collaboration with the video design.Also in this episode - 2026 Broadway Season announcements are in full swing. Revivals of Ragtime, Chess and Mamma Mia lead the way. Ben is a lighting designer for theater, concerts, dance, installations, and

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56:17

#96 - Caesar Samayoa - Takes Us Back to the Copa

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/05/28

Just in Time’s Caesar Samayao visited Behind the Awards to discuss his multiple roles in the show including the legendary Don Kurshnier. Caesar recounts his time creating his track in Come From Away, The Pee Wee Herman Show and How to Dance to Ohio. Also in this episode - Real Women Have Curves Tony Nominee Benjamin Velez comes back to Behind the Awards to share what the process has been like since BroadwayCon when they were just getting into the theater to rehearse and put the show together

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59:35

#95 - Emily Bergl - Just in Time

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/05/28

Emily Bergl takes a break from Just in Time: The Bobby Darin Musical to break down the two characters she originates in the show. Emily gives us the low down of working with Jonathan Groff as well as working on such TV Series as; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shameless, Desperate Housewives and Gilmore Girls. Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Just in Time Orchestrators Andrew Resnick & Michael Thurber join Behind the Awards to discuss creating the environment that is a Jonathan Groff/Bobby

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35:47

#94 - 2025 Tony Bonus #4

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/05/26

Eila & Bruce bring you the fourth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Director of a Musical, Costume Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Play, Lead Actor of a Play, Lighting Design of a Play, and Revival of a Musical. Laura Donnelly, Mia Farrow, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sadie Sink, Sarah Snook, George Clooney, Cole Escola, Jon Michael Hill, Daniel Day Kim, Harry Lennix,

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69:51

#93 - Burke Swanson - Playing Detective at The Marquis

Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb ·

2025/05/23

Burke Swanson visited Behind the Awards to give us the low down on his show Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Burke shares his first hand experience in the creation of the magical theater experience and what it is like to step into the shoes of James Hopper Jr.Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Sound Designer Dan Moses Schreier gives Behind the Awards a glimpse into what it takes to create the environment that is Floyd Collins at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. Burke made

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