BGR's Backstage Buzz: Recent Episodes
Broadway Grand Rapids
Sometimes the things that happen behind the curtain for a Broadway production is just as fascinating as what you see on stage. Broadway Grand Rapids presents buzzworthy conversations with cast + crew from the best of touring Broadway, community arts advocates and community partners. If you are intrigued by all things Broadway and want to learn who else in West Michigan enjoys the performing arts, this podcast is for you!
Step right up—the circus is in town! In this episode, Jennifer Pascuaand Steve Steketee take you behind the curtain ofWater for Elephants, the breathtaking musical opening Broadway Grand Rapids' 25–26 season.
You’ll hear from actor Robert Tully (Mr. Jankowski), who brings real circus roots to the stage as a former Ringmaster for Ringling Bros. Plus, we shine the spotlight on Sierra Hatfield, founder of the Grand Rapids Circus Project, whose work blends artistry and equity in powerful ways.
Along the way:
- A Broadway lightning round of “This or That”
- Learn about our interactive Love Under the Big Top community art wall
- Hear some love letters and stories submitted by BGR Ambassadors
Don’t miss this lively mix of Broadway, community, and circus magic—plus an exclusive ticket offer for our listeners! $20 off Mezzanine seats and $10 off Balcony seats for all evening performances! Just head to BroadwayGrandRapids.com, click on Water for Elephants, and use code 25CIRCUS.
New BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast Episode! This one’s packed with Michigan pride and powerful stories!
Meet Paul Louis Lessard — Okemos native and current King George in the Hamilton national tour! From King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar’s 50th Anniversary Tour to 20+ regional theatre productions, Paul brings the royalty and the receipts. Trained at Interlochen Center for the Arts, University of Michigan, and the London Dramatic Academy.
Hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee take you behind the scenes—on the road at City Built Brewing Company. CEO Edwin Collazo talks about the Puerto Rican connection to Hamilton and the inspiration behind their beer, Story of Tonight. Learn why supporting nonprofits like Broadway Grand Rapids matters.
BGR also spotlights community partner, Refugee Education Center CEO Meg Derrer shares how they're helping families rebuild in West Michigan—and how you can reflect on "Where your story begins."
Thank you to our show sponsors: BISSELL, Inc., Independent Bank, Miller Johnson, and MillerKnoll Foundation.
Title Sponsor: FifthThird and Season Sponsor: Meijer
Episode 7 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Dominic Pagliaro who plays Philip Stucky.
They also chat with Cynthia Walker-Owens about Dream...Keep It Moving, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and empowering youth through social-emotional education, mentorship, and life-changing experiences.
Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Show sponsors include Barnes & Thornburg, BDO, Fox Motors, Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Episode 6 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Chris Marsh Clark who is in the ensemble A Beautiful noise and is the understudy for Neil Diamond.
They also chat with Chas Schaner - A volunteer with the Parkinson's Foundation Great Lakes chapter.
Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Show sponsors include AARP Michigan, Crowe, Lacks Enterprises, Inc., Sharpe Cars, Trinity Health, Warner Norcross + Judd.
Episode 5 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Elisabeth Yancey who plays Yvette and is the understudy for Miss Scarlett.
They also chat with Wendy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids about the 15th anniversary of LaughFest.
Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Show sponsors include The Waters Center, Wolverine Worldwide, Corewell Health.
Episode 4 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Lois Ellise, a Michigan native representing &Juliet who performed at our 25-26 Season Reveal on February 24.
They also chat with with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel + Bob Bucci, President of Marketing and Content at Broadway Across America, our presenting partner.
Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Episode 3 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Nick Rashad Burroughs, who plays Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
They also chat with Hannah Berry from Lions and Rabbits about a Moulin Rouge-inspired mural created by one of their artists, which you can see right here in Grand Rapids.
Special thanks to our sole show sponsor, AHC Hospitality, for supporting this episode! Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Get ready for the second episode of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast! This season, BGR Ambassador Steve Steketee joins Jennifer Pascua as co-host. In this Mamma Mia!-themed episode, we chat with Blake Price, a Grand Rapids native and Western Michigan University alum. He plays Father Alexandrios and is an ensemble member/understudy for Sam, Harry and Bill.
We also talk with Whitney Allred about Grand Rapids Giving Day and how YOU can get involved.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Autocam Medical; Harvey Automotive; The Laug Group at Morgan Stanley; National Heritage Academies; PNC Bank, with extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.
Welcome to our 2024-2025 Season! This year, Marketing Director Jennifer Pascua will be joined by Steve Steketee—our Podcast Producer, BGR Ambassador, Founder of ShutterWerks Media, and Executive Director of The Collaborative Lab.
This season, we're spotlighting Matt Kurzyniec, a talented ensemble cast member of the tour who also covers the roles of Beetlejuice, Adam, and Otho. Discover Matt's deep connection to The Mitten State and the unique ways he prepares for his role in the musical.
Plus, we’ll introduce you to Tim Pietryga, the VP of Advancement at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and a dedicated long-time board member. He’ll share his personal love for Broadway and update us on the exciting developments happening at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is J. Daughtry who plays Berry Gordy/Nick.
The Grammy-nominated, Stellar and Dove Award-winning graduate of Bethune Cookman University. He is a Theatrical, Gospel and R&B singer/actor on both stage and screen. From his humble beginnings in Bartow, Florida, his gifts have taken him all over the world. You can follow him at @j.daughtry
Show sponsors include- Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Corewell Health, UFP Industries and Edify North.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Austen Danielle Bohmer who plays the bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, Glinda.
Austen shares shares why this role is so appealing and her most heartwarming fan interaction to date that happened in Grand Rapids.
We also spend time with Andy Allen, Vice President of Advancement at AYA Youth Collective to learn more about the non-profit organization and how you can get support during the show run of Wicked.
Show sponsors include- AHC Hospitality, BISSELL Inc., Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, SHARPE Cars. Title Sponsor is Fifth Third. Season Sponsor is Meijer.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Maeve Moynihan plays Scout Finch. To Kill A Mockingbird is her first Broadway tour and she talks about her connection with her character and the themes of racial injustice and moral integrity.
Miller Johnson is the exclusive sponsor of To Kill A Mockingbird. Title Sponsor is Fifth Third. Season Sponsor is Meijer.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Preston Truman Boyd, who plays Javert in Les Misérables. He shares his love of the show and what he likes to do when visiting each city stop on the tour.
Also in this episode, we'll get to know Justin Raha, owner of Grande Finale in Spring Lake and a season subscriber. He shares why he wanted to partner with BGR's Broadway Arts Access initiative.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests areBob Bucci, President of Marketing at Broadway Across America and Emily Croft from MAMMA MIA! Bob shares the 2024-2025 season lineup and explains the process of bringing the best of Broadway to West Michigan. Emily shares her personal connection about why MAMMA MIA is so special and for the first time the two will play the BGR Lightning Round!
Also in this episode, we'll get to know Melissa Conway, the new Director of Community Partnerships and Giving at Meijer (our series sponsor).
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to our 35th Anniversary Season! Our featured guest is Adi Roy who plays Aladdin in Disney's Aladdin.
This is Adi's second role on Broadway and he shares why playing Aladdin is a full circle moment and talks about his journey to the stage.
Plus, we chat with Ellie Wilcox, Regional Managing Director of Make-A-Wish Michigan about partnering with Broadway Grand Rapids for this show and how the rest of the community can support their efforts to grant wishes to kids in the Mitten state.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to our 35th Anniversary Season! Our featured guest is Roz White who plays Zelda Bullock in TINA- The Tina Turner Musical.
Roz is a vocalist, actress, motivational speaker and teaching artist who shares how she found her way onto the Broadway stage and why playing the role of the Mom of the Queen of Rock is an emotional journey.
Plus, we chat with Charisse Mitchell, CEO of YWCA West Central Michigan why partnering with Broadway Grand Rapids is so meaningful.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to our 35th Anniversary Season! Our featured guest is Walter Koppage who plays Florenz Ziedgfeld in Funny Girl.
Seasoned actor Walter is making his Broadway debut in this exciting new musical, and he's sharing his first-time experience, what drew him to the role, and what audiences can expect when they come to see the show.
Plus, we chat with Wendy Wigger, President of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, about why it made sense to partner with Broadway Grand Rapids for this show.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Dominic Dorset who plays Kristoff in Disney's Frozen.
Dominic shares his excitement to come home to The Mitten, how he found his way to the touring Broadway stage and advice to future stars.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Maria-Christina Oliveras who plays the lead Persephone in Hadestown.
Maria-Christina shares some insight of the show, the challenges of playing Persephone and how she found her way onto Broadway.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Jonathan Grunert who plays Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and Sandra Gaddy, Executive Director of Women's Resource Center.
Jonathan shares his journey in musical theater, talks about his experiences so far during his national touring debut and plays along in our our BGR's Broadway Buzz Lightning Round!
Sandra talks about Women's Resource Center's 50 year anniversary and how the community partnership with Broadway Grand Rapids has brought about a meaningful relationship and how you can get involved in an uplifting activity in the lobby during the show run.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Pattijean McCahill, Development and Marketing Director for Feeding America West Michigan and Monica Steimle-App, Senior Vice President at Rockford Construction.
Pattijean shares details of our peanut butter drive and online collection to help Feeding America West Michigan. Monica talks about why Rockford Construction decided to roll up its sleeves to help with hunger...and we'll put her in the hot seat for our BGR's Broadway Buzz Lightning Round!
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Meghan Distel, President and CEO of Broadway Grand Rapids and Jacob Dickey, Broadway star of Disney's Aladdin. Meghan shares the 2023-2024 season lineup and explains the process of bringing the best of Broadway to West Michigan. Then, we'll chat with Jacob about how his mom helped to pave his way to Broadway and he'll play along in our BGR Lightning Round!
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast. Our guest is Scott Stenstrom, VP, Regional Marketing & Communications from Fifth Third Bank . Fifth Third Bank is our series sponsor.
We are thankful for all our show sponsors including Autocam Medical;Crowe; Fox Motors; Lacks Enterprises, Inc.; Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital; MillerKnoll; Miller Johnson, Trinity Health and Absolute BS with Brad and Steve.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast. Our first guest is Phyre Hawkins, a Flint native who is in a standby role for Come From Away. We continue a conversation with Tom Ammerman, a Midland, MI man who was on one of the planes diverted to Gander following the 9/11 attacks.
Plus, we'll get to know our community partners, Red Cross of Western Michigan and the Jason Kinzler Family First Foundation. Get the details of our joint blood drive efforts and the options locally to #PayItForward
We are thankful for all our show sponsors including the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Absolute BS with Brad and Steve.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.
Welcome BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast. Our first guest is Dr. Peter Hahn, President and CEO of University of Michigan-Health West (Sponsor of the comedy-musical Tootsie). We'll get to what this community leader thinks is funny, how humor can be good for your health, and why the performing arts is something he appreciates. Plus, we'll get to know our podcast partners, Absolute BS with Brad and Stevewho both have serious day jobs but yet found a way to add laughter to their lives.
New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.