Episodes

  • Episode 17 - Nico Juber, Joe Barros, Jade McLeod and Gabby Boera: Winner

    Episode 17 - Nico Juber, Joe Barros, Jade McLeod and Gabby Boera: Winner
    Jul 8 2025
    This episode features a conversation with Nico Juber, Joe Barros, Jade McLeod and Gabby Boera about the new musical Winner. Winner was written by Nico Juber and Joe Barros. Inspired by the queer journeys and bi erasure of its writers, Winner tells a coming out and coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a rigged election at a Southern California high school in 1999. The musical explores a female-identifying queer narrative and is one of the first to explore bisexuality. The story centers around Autumn, a high-achieving senior vying for the position of student body president, and her secret girlfriend Stevie, who unexpectedly becomes her opponent in the election. The musical incorporates a time loop, where the day resets three times, and a different girl wins the race each time. The plot unfolds as Autumn, desperate to win the election to secure a college scholarship, discovers that the new electronic voting system at school was manipulated. This revelation sets off a chain of events that forces Autumn to confront her identity and the consequences of hiding her relationship with Stevie. Autumn's decision to prioritize her relationship with Stevie and her truth over winning the election leads to a public coming out that ultimately breaks the time loop, redefining what it means for Autumn to win. This episode features the songs “Who Gets The Win?”, performed by Jade McLeod and also “Eye On The Prize” performed by Taylor Iman Jones, Jade McLeod, Alex Wyse, Diana Huey, Jessie MacBeth, Alex Wyse, Luis Villabon, Kristopher Stanley Ward, Gabby Boera, Logan Leilani Blount, Federico Hradek, and Cay Ryan Murray. Connect with Joe Barros: Website: https://www.joebarros.com/ Instagram: @bisforbarros Connect with Nico Juber: Website: https://www.nicojuber.com/ Instagram: @stuffnicolikes Connect with Jade Mcleod: Instagram: @jademcleod Connect with Garry Boera: Instagram: @gabby.boera Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 16 - Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer: Real Women Have Curves Part 2

    Episode 16 - Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer: Real Women Have Curves Part 2
    Jun 27 2025
    In this episode we continue our conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family’s East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen’s (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post). This episode features the songs “Daydream” performed by Florencia Cuenca and “Adios Andrés” performed by Justina Machado and the Original Broadway Company of Real Women Have Curves. Connect with Benjamin Velez: Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/ Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic Connect with Lisa Loomer: Instagram: @lisalromano Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Episode 15 - Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer: Real Women Have Curves

    Episode 15 - Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer: Real Women Have Curves
    Jun 26 2025
    This episode features a conversation with Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves. Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family’s East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen’s (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post). This episode features the songs “Make It Work” performed by Florencia Cuenca, Jennifer Sanchez, Carla Jimenez, Aline Mayagoitia, Sandra Valls and Shelby Acosta, “Jugglin” performed by the Original Broadway Cast of Real Women Have Curves, as well as “Flying Away” performed by Tatiana Cordoba. Connect with Benjamin Velez: Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/ Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic Connect with Lisa Loomer: Instagram: @lisalromano Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • Episode 14 - Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: The Bubble Part 2

    Episode 14 - Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: The Bubble Part 2
    Jun 17 2025
    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon about their new musical, The Bubble. Adapted from the groundbreaking film by Eytan Fox and Gal Uchovsky, the musical follows Noam, an Israeli soldier and musician, and Ashraf, a closeted Palestinian, who meet at a border checkpoint and fall in love during the Second Intifada. Supported by their chosen family, the pair construct a utopian “bubble” in Tel Aviv, and risk their lives to be together when the bubble bursts. This explosive new musical pulses with energy, urgency, and unyielding hope for peace, capturing the struggle and resilience of love in a divided world. This episode features the songs “Love, Love Tel Aviv” performed by Omer Shaish, Joél Pérez, Krystina Alabado, John Charles McLaughlin, and Kayley Ann Collins, “Le'Olam (Until Forever)” performed by Omer Shaish and the Green Room 42 Ensemble, and also “Yalla Yalla” performed by Sahar Milani. Connect with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: Website: https://www.mcguireandsimon.com/ Instagrams:@janinemcguire and @arrilawtonsimon Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 13 - Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: The Bubble

    Episode 13 - Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: The Bubble
    Jun 3 2025
    This episode features a conversation with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon about their musical: The Bubble. Adapted from the groundbreaking film by Eytan Fox and Gal Uchovsky, the musical follows Noam, an Israeli soldier and musician, and Ashraf, a closeted Palestinian, who meet at a border checkpoint and fall in love during the Second Intifada. Supported by their chosen family, the pair construct a utopian “bubble” in Tel Aviv, and risk their lives to be together when the bubble bursts. This explosive new musical pulses with energy, urgency, and unyielding hope for peace, capturing the struggle and resilience of love in a divided world. This episode features demo recordings of the songs “I Used To Hear Music” performed by Omer Shaish and “I Could Get Used To This” performed by Joél Pérez. Connect with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon: Website: https://www.mcguireandsimon.com/ Instagrams:@janinemcguire @mcguireandsimon and @arrilawtonsimon Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • Episode 12 - Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr: Call Me From The Grave Part 2

    Episode 12 - Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr: Call Me From The Grave Part 2
    May 20 2025
    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr about their new musical, Call Me From The Grave. Call Me From The Grave explores the life and myth of the legendary Blues guitar player, Robert Johnson. In Greenwood, Mississippi, a young sharecropper, Robert, dreams of becoming a Bluesman. When his loving girlfriend, Virginia, becomes pregnant, Robert puts his dreams on hold to build a life and a family with her. However, Robert’s life comes crashing down when Virginia dies of complications in childbirth and their newborn son is taken into the exclusive custody of her unapproving father. Feeling he has failed as a husband, father, and a musician, Robert is at his lowest when he is approached by the Devil. Robert exchanges his soul for the music career he has always dreamt of, on the condition that he never returns home. As the years go by, Robert gains all the fame and renown that he is promised. However, after learning that the people he loves are in need back home, Robert must choose between his fame and his family. This episode features demo recordings of the songs “Some Deals Can’t Be Undone” performed by Sara Speller, Julian Manresa, and the Yale College Original Cast Ensemble, and also “He Will Free You” performed by Daneille Yvonne James. Connect with Charlie Romano: Website: https://www.charlieromano.com/ Instagram: @charlieromanomusic Connect with Harold Hodge Jr: Instagram: @haroldemort Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Episode 11 - Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr: Call Me From The Grave

    Episode 11 - Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr: Call Me From The Grave
    May 6 2025
    This episode features a conversation with Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr about their new musical, Call Me From The Grave. Call Me From The Grave explores the life and myth of the legendary Blues guitar player, Robert Johnson. In Greenwood, Mississippi, a young sharecropper, Robert, dreams of becoming a Bluesman. When his loving girlfriend, Virginia, becomes pregnant, Robert puts his dreams on hold to build a life and a family with her. However, Robert’s life comes crashing down when Virginia dies of complications in childbirth and their newborn son is taken into the exclusive custody of her unapproving father. Feeling he has failed as a husband, father, and a musician, Robert is at his lowest when he is approached by the Devil. Robert exchanges his soul for the music career he has always dreamt of, on the condition that he never returns home. As the years go by, Robert gains all the fame and renown that he is promised. However, after learning that the people he loves are in need back home, Robert must choose between his fame and his family. This episode features demo recordings of the songs “A Soul Ain't Free” performed by Xavier Washington and Danielle Yvonne James and “Waiting For You” performed by Me'lena Laudig. Connect with Charlie Romano: Website: https://www.charlieromano.com/ Instagram: @charlieromanomusic Connect with Harold Hodge Jr: Instagram: @haroldemort Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Episode 10 - Kathleen Wrinn: New Works/New Voices Part 2 featuring Lighthouse

    Episode 10 - Kathleen Wrinn: New Works/New Voices Part 2 featuring Lighthouse
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode, we continue our conversation with Kathleen Wrinn, the founding Artistic Director of the New Works/New Voices initiative at Syracuse University that develops new musicals. We explore in greater detail how the program has developed Lighthouse, a musical with book, lyrics & story by abs wilson, and music and story by Veronica Mansour. We also discuss Kathleen’s forthcoming book, Developing New Musicals in University Theatre Programs: A Practical Guide, co-authored with Alisa Hauser. This episode features demo recordings of the songs “Runaway Girl” and “Bus Stop” performed by Veronica Mansour. Connect with Kathleen Wrinn: Website: https://www.kathleenwrinn.com/ Instagram: @inittowrinnit Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins