Interview: VARLA JEAN MERMAN of STAND BY YOUR DRAG at MATCH
by Brett Cullum - Apr 28, 2024
I live in Florida, and I love Florida; Florida has amazing people and an amazing LGBTQ community, but, as you know, the government really isn't on our side there. When the drag bans started to happen, it really freaked you out because it happened like suddenly you weren't allowed to perform outside in Florida. People didn't know this happened, but many of the Pride Celebrations in Florida were canceled.
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Drag Star Pixie Aventura
by Ben Rimalower - Jan 6, 2020
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and drag star Cesar Villavicencio (aka Pixie Aventura) about Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits. They also discuss Freddie Mercury, Queen, Chita Rivera, Judy Garland, Bohemian Rhapsody, and RuPaul's Drag Race. Pixie talks about working with an audience, her process of creating unique and highly compelling material, and the importance of bringing about more Latinx representation in media. She also talks about being a 'research queen' and shares some of her inspirations from music, television, and film. Pixie performs nightly to packed audiences at NYC clubs like Barracuda, Hardware, Therapy, and Playhouse.
Varla Jean Merman, Kool Keith, Mad Scene, And More Announced At Joe's Pub
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 31, 2019
Check out the Joe's Pub lineup for the tip-top of the year a?" a new Country Music night from Jim, Jenn & Neal; Haitian singer-songwriter BeLO; two of the three Ultramagnetic MCs Kool Keith and CED-GEE; Kittel & Co, Rev Billy, a very fun showcase from DANCE NOW and, as always, a ton more.
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Carolee Carmello
by Ben Rimalower - Dec 23, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello about the soundtrack to the 1973 film adaptation of 'Godspell.' They also discuss Julie Andrews, 'The Sound of Music,' Lesley Ann Warren, Marni Nixon, 'West Side Story,' 'Evita,' Mary Testa, 'Oliver,' 'Gypsy,' Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, Comden and Green, 'Falsettos,' 'Kiss Me Kate,' Marin Mazzie, and 'Parade.' They talk about Carolee's secret, closeted soprano past and the fact that she has never taken a voice lesson. Carolee is currently starring as America's coast-to-coast Dolly Levi in the national tour of 'Hello, Dolly!'
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Kevin Adams!
by Ben Rimalower - Dec 16, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to four-time Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams about the soundtrack to the 1973 film 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' They also discuss 'Hair,' Barry Dennen, Barbra Streisand, Sandra Bernhard, 'Without You I'm Nothing,' Jodie Foster, Madonna, Tommy, Rupert Everett, Michael Mayer, Spike Lee, Jennifer Holliday, Stephen Trask, and John Cameron Mitchell. Kevin shares stories from his career, from working as a gogo dancer, to working on music videos, to collaborating with legendary directors and performers at The Mark Taper Forum, The Public Theater, and on Broadway. Kevin's credits include 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch,' 'Spring Awakening,' 'Passing Strange,' 'Next to Normal,' 'The Cher Show,' and 'SpongeBob SquarePants.'
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Michael Musto
by Ben Rimalower - Nov 18, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to legendary writer and New York nightlife fixture Michael Musto about the 1968 album 'Diana Ross and The Supremes Sing and Perform Funny Girl.' They also discuss 'The Wiz,' Motown, Barbra Streisand, 'Mahogany,' Liza Minnelli, Madonna, 'Evita,' Nancy Walker, Mary Wilson, 'Follies,' and Marilyn Maye. Michael talks about the first time he saw the movie 'Funny Girl,' as well as his attempt to see Diana Ross live in Central Park. Michael can be seen performing live at venues around New York City, and his weekly column can be found on NewNowNext.
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Telly Leung
by Ben Rimalower - Nov 4, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to playwright, composer, and lyricist Michael R. Jackson about Tori Amos's 1994 album 'Under the Pink.' They also discuss Liz Phair, Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey, alt rock, Fiona Apple, 'Show Boat,' William Finn, 'In Trousers,' 'Raisin,' Sondheim, 'Company,' 'Rent,' and 'Passing Strange.' Michael talks about how he discovered his favorite songwriters and how they influenced his own writing process. Michael's acclaimed new musical 'A Strange Loop' recently played to sold-out audiences, and the cast recording is now available from Broadway Records.
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Santino Fontana!
by Ben Rimalower - Oct 14, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz about Judy Collins' 1967 album 'Wildflowers.' They also discuss Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, The Supremes, 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,' Motown, 'Bye Bye Birdie,' and Leonard Cohen. Stephen talks about the conception and creation of a number of his works, including 'Wicked,' 'Godspell,' 'Pippin,' 'The Baker's Wife,' 'Working,' 'Rags,' and 'The Prince of Egypt.' He tells stories about working with artists such as Howard Ashman, Charles Strouse, Steven Spielberg, and Whitney Houston, and talks about collaborating with Alan Menken, with whom he wrote the songs for the hit Disney films 'Pocahontas,' 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' and 'Enchanted.'
BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest, Stephen Schwartz!
by Ben Rimalower - Oct 7, 2019
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz about Judy Collins' 1967 album 'Wildflowers.' They also discuss Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, The Supremes, 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,' Motown, 'Bye Bye Birdie,' and Leonard Cohen. Stephen talks about the conception and creation of a number of his works, including 'Wicked,' 'Godspell,' 'Pippin,' 'The Baker's Wife,' 'Working,' 'Rags,' and 'The Prince of Egypt.' He tells stories about working with artists such as Howard Ashman, Charles Strouse, Steven Spielberg, and Whitney Houston, and talks about collaborating with Alan Menken, with whom he wrote the songs for the hit Disney films 'Pocahontas,' 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' and 'Enchanted.'