If you're looking for the perfect stage show for Halloween, the University of Detroit Mercy's theatre department has the show for you, as they bring Jen Silverman's Witch to life on their stage! Ahead of the production's debut, I sat down with one of the Witch's cast members, Katherine Mutschler, a senior at the university. In this interview, Mutscheler discusses her role in the play, how this production has pushed her as an actor, what she's most excited for audiences to take away from Witch, and where she sees her future in show business going. Enjoy the interview!

If you're in the Metro Detroit area, grab your tickets for University of Detroit Mercy's Witch, which runs for six shows beginning October 25!

Timestamps for this interview:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 00:35 - How are the rehearsals for Witch going so far?
• 01:45 - About Witch, the premise for the show and Kathrine's role in it.
• 03:40 - How the show has been updated/modernized from an old Jacobean story/play?
• 05:35 - Why tell this story now? A good story to tell for around Halloween.
• 07:03 - How does your character evolve over the course of the story?
• 08:30 - How has this production pushed you as an actor?
• 09:30 - What are the themes in Witch that resonate with you the most?
• 11:16 - Standout moments in the production
• 12:43 - What has been your experience with the University of Detroit Mercy's theatre department so far?
• 14:32 - Do you plan to continue acting after graduation?
• 15:20 - What is your dream role to play?
• 17:17 - What do you hope audiences take away from Witch?
• 19:10 - Show info, and outro

For more Broadway coverage, visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @ mycosmiccircus and @ boxseatbabes and find the video version of this interview on our YouTube channel @CosmicCircusBroadway https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicCircusBroadway

The second show in Broadway in Detroit's 2024-2025 season, Some Like It Hot is an adaptation of a 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe! This musical adaptation is not an exact remake of the film, as it makes some major updates to some of the stories and characters.

Hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko were excited to discuss the show and have a fascinating in-depth discussion! Brian and RJ discuss some of the changes, how their personal experience helped to dictate their enjoyment of the show, stand-out performances, and moments from Some Like It Hot, and if they would see it again. Catch Some Like It Hot when it arrives in a city near you!

Timestamps 00:00 - Intros 00:53 - SPOILER warning for Some Like it Hot the musical and the movie discussed in this podcast, and general info about the show. 04:45 - Changes to the ethnicity of some of the characters from the film to POC. 09:30 - Sugar (Marilyn Monroe's character in the 1959 film) and the musical having a more modern approach to her character. 13:30 - Daphne/Jerry (Jack Lemmon's character in the film) and differences from the film. How the musical approaches a trans storyline. 20:18 - The older generation's reaction to the musical's trans aspects. (RJ's mom POV) 23:14 - Comparing this musical to how & Juliet handled a trans character, and audience reactions. 26:47 - Questions for the writers about the approach to the trans storyline. 27:14 - Moulin Rouge and & Juliet and aspects of the Jukebox musical having less of an impact on some audiences than a show like Some Like It Hot does for certain subjects. 28:45 - The crossdressing aspects of the film and shows like Mrs. Doubtfire and using it for comedy. 33:17 - Big band and the music in Some Like It Hot 38:31 - Stand out performers in the show 41:35 - The jokes and humor in the show 45:49 - Weak points 45:00 - The costumes and set 48:20 - Rewatchability of Some Like it Hot the musical 49:45 - Outros

For more Broadway musical and theatre coverage, visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com and follow @ mycosmiccircus and @ boxseatbabes on social media for updates!

Broadway in Detroit is looking towards the next show that is arriving in just a few weeks. Some Like It Hot, an adaptation of the 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, opens in the Metro Detroit area on October 1st! We sat down with Stephen Michael Langton, who is a part of the ensemble as well as the understudy for Osgood!

In this interview, Langton spoke about how the show (in previews at the time of recording) is developing, what the challenges are for his roles, how he balances his mental health on the road, and his love of gaming.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - About Some Like It Hot and what drew you to this show? 04:27 - Audition process 06:42 - Challenges to playing two different roles in the show. 10:20 - Getting into character 12:00 - How being in Newsies helped prepare you for Some Like It Hot 13:45 - Being a gamer: PC vs console and "comfort games." 15:35 - Protecting your mental health while on the road. 17:40 - How your role in Some Like It Hot pushes you as an actor 19:30 - Is there anything special or specific you try to do as you visit different cities during the tour? 21:50 - Outros

Find the video version of this interview and more on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicCircusBroadway

For more Broadway coverage, visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

Hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko saw Moulin Rouge! The Musical on opening night at the Detroit Opera House and couldn't wait to share their thoughts in the latest episode of The Cosmic Curtain!

In this episode, they break down some of the show's highs and lows, whether the addition of more pop songs to the stage show from the film enhances the show or detracts from it, and how the duality of the tones works with the message of the show. Plus, listen as they discuss who the true villain of the musical is!

Timestamps: Moulin Rouge! The Musical discussion and review

• 00:00 - Intros
• 00:45 - The 2001 Baz Luhrmann film which the musical is based on
• 05:00 - SPOILER WARNING for the movie and the musical
• 05:30 - Was the Moulin Rouge! The Musical a good adaptation of the movie?
• 08:50 - The 2 tones to the story, romance and tragedy.
• 11:00 - Issues/problems that effect enjoyment of a show and things that can go wrong
• 18:00 - Balancing the tragedy for the audience, and what stood out about the show
• 20:00 - Learning to love again
• 22:20 - Differences with the Duke in the musical and film
• 27:16 - Harold Zidler and his relationship with Satine. Is Zidler a villain?
• 35:10 - Juke Box Musicals and songs in this musical.
• 43:30 - Audience interaction in this show
• 46:21 - Best songs in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
• 49:45 - Stand-outs from the cast in the show
• 54:15 - The use of lights in this show
• 57:27 - RJ's sister and the confetti cannon. The joy of theatre.
• 01:00:00 - Overall/final thoughts on this show.
• 01:05:33 - Rewatchability of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
• 01:07:00 - Outros

For more information, and tickets visit: https://moulinrougemusical.com/us-tour/home/

For the full video interview, visit YouTube @CosmicCircusBroadway

and for more Broadway coverage visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com

Hello, chickens! And welcome to the Moulin Rouge, a magical place full of wonder and excitement! We're beyond excited for Moulin Rouge the Musical to finally make it to Detroit, as it's one of our favorites! Based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann musical of the same name, this revamped jukebox musical brings a healthy dose of romance and just as much drama. Moulin Rouge the Musical is spending just about three weeks in Detroit, so ahead of its arrival, we sat down with Robert Petkoff, who stars as Harold Zidler in the show!

In this interview, Petkoff discusses what drew him to this role, what his audition process was like, how he balances the tonally difference aspects of the show, what some of the challenges have been to bringing Harold Zidler to life, and how his background in Shakespearean theater has helped him with his role in Moulin Rouge!

Timestamps for this interview:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:30 - Robert Petkoff talks about his character Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge
• 02:40 - The pop songs featured in Moulin Rouge the Musical
• 04:50 - Seeing it in NYC, an incredibly fun show
• 05:20 - Changes to The Duke's character, movie vs musical
• 06:33 - What sets the musical apart from the movie?
• 09:15 - The casting process
• 15:00 - Petkoff on what drew him to the character?
• 18:25 - Leading those big musical numbers
• 19:40 - Laughter in the performance
• 20:45 - Process to get into character
• 23:14 - Most challenging aspect of the part?
• 26:15 - How has your Shakespearean background helped with this role?
• 28:36 - Shows in one spot vs touring
• 32:20 - Traditions on tour, things to do in different cities
• 27:27 - Outros

For more information, and tickets visit: https://moulinrougemusical.com/us-tour/home/

For the full video interview, visit YouTube @CosmicCircusBroadway

and for more Broadway coverage visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com

This weekend at The Ringwald Theatre located inside of The Affirmations building in Ferndale, MI, the Ringwald Reprise presents Applause, the first show of its kind at the theater! Being described as a staged concert version of the 1970 Tony Award-Winning musical, which in turn is based on the film All About Eve, Applause is looking to charm the audience once again!

In this Interview, director and cast member Joe Bailey discusses why now felt like the right time to bring this frequently overlooked musical to The Ringwald, what it's like to be both a cast member and the director of the show, how it takes a village to bring a musical to life, and where he sees this staged concert series going in the future.

For more information, and tickets visit: http://www.theringwald.com/production...

For the full video interview, visit YouTube @CosmicCircusBroadway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfIbiSn_KNY&t=1s

Listen in as RJ Miller-Zelinko and Brian Kitson share their experience with Shrek from childhood to a more recent live show based on the beloved film Shrek The Musical via it's North America Tour.

Have you seen Shrek the Musical? What was your experience? Let us know your thoughts on social media @mycosmiccircus and @boxseatbabes or comment below! If you enjoy this podcast, please consider sharing it with friends and following us on social media, or joining our Discord.

Timestamps 00:00 - intro 01:41 - Childhood memories of watching the original Shrek movie 08:20 - Discussing Shrek the Musical and the complicated logistics of adapting the film to stage. 11:20 - Changes from the original version of the musical 17:20 - Shrek's backstory added to musical 19:41 - Lord Farquaad changes in the musical vs the original 23:43 - "Freak Flag" 25:01 - Comedic choices and changes in the musical 28:10 - Best performances in most recent viewing of Shrek The Musical North America tour stop in Michigan. 32:55 - The music in this show 38:16 - Staging and costume for Fiona's transformation, the Dragon and other effects 44:16 - What is the rewatch value of this show? 48:50 - Coming up next for Broadway in Detroit: Moulin Rouge 01:02:00 - Outro

Podcast credits and show notes

Contributors/Writers Brian Kitson RJ Miller-Zelinko

Executive Producer/Editor Lizzie Hill

FMI about Shrek the Musical's North America Tour visit https://shrekthemusicaltour.com/

For a written review by Brian visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com/shrek-the-musical-tour-review/

For Brian's exclusive interview with Timmy Lewis (Lord Farquaad) visit https://broadway.thecosmiccircus.com/exclusive-interview-timmy-lewis-talks-shrek-the-musical/

Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus

It's been about a month since our last episode of The Cosmic Curtain came out, which kicked off our new podcast dedicated to our love of Broadway and theatre in general. While we're waiting for the 2024-2025 season of Broadway in Detroit to begin, which kicks off with Shrek the Musical, we've been filling our time with local productions around our neck of the woods. With a few different shows on both the community and professional level, we decided it was high time to boot up the cameras and switch on our microphones because we had to share all our excitement about some fantastic Michigan theater.

Listen as hosts RJ Miller-Zelinko and Brian Kitson discuss three recent shows featuring a mixture of musicals and plays. Beginning with OnOurOwnProductions of Beauty and the Beast, we cover The Ringwald's Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors and finish with Nicely Theatre Group's Guys and Dolls. With standout moments and aspects of each show, the Box Seat Babes discuss what made each production unique and what they look forward to seeing from the groups in the future. Check out the video of this podcast on our YouTube channel @CosmicCircusBroadway!

What are some local shows you've seen? What did you think of this episode? Let us know your thoughts on social media @mycosmiccircus and @boxseatbabes! If you enjoy this podcast, please consider sharing it with friends and following us on social media, or joining our Discord.

• Brian Kitson
• RJ Miller-Zelinko

• Lizzie Hill

Recorded on 07/29/2024

A companion article for this podcast is available at broadway.thecosmiccircus.com