As The Curtain Rises - Broadway’s First Digital Soap Opera

As The Curtain Rises - Broadway’s First Digital Soap Opera

After the ‘Broadway Disher’ (Lesli Margherita) leaks news of a top secret, in-the-works, new mega musical, the Broadway community goes off-the-charts batty. Top-of-their-game Broadway Producers Cheryl Philips (Lillias White) and Steve Jones (James Monroe Iglehart), arch enemies, pounce. Who will get the rights? Will way-out-of-their-comfort-zone creators Kaye (Ashley Park) and Bobby (Michael Urie) manage to deliver a draft of the show before their marriage implodes? Will Director/Choreographer Zoey Taylor (Ariana DeBose) send the show’s budget into a free fall with her wildly ambitious vision? Will Broadway Diva Emma-Olivia (Sarah Stiles) get a Schmackery’s cookie (with Sprinkles) named in her honor? Will newbie Agent Maxwell Fernsby (George Salazar) step into his new big shoes? And will Science Consultant Andrew Barth Feldman (Andrew Barth Feldman) protect the integrity and authenticity of the in-the-works mega musical, before he needs to leave this top secret show to star in a new Broadway musical? The drama on stage pales in comparison to the drama behind the curtain….You don’t want to miss this. This is an original radio play produced by the Broadway Podcast Network. As The Curtain Rises proudly supports The Actor's Fund, the Broadway Podcast Network Frontline Initiative, and is a sponsored project of IFP (www.ifp.org). See BPN.fm/atcr for the full cast list. Tremendous Gratitude To our Producing Partner Liz Armstrong.

Episodes

Podcast Trailer

October 17, 2020 • 1 min
After the ‘Broadway Disher’ (Lesli Margherita) leaks news of a top secret, in-the-works, new mega musical, the Broadway community goes off-the-charts batty. Top-of-their-game Broadway Producers Cheryl Philips (Lillias White) and Steve Jones (James Monroe Iglehart), arch enemies, pounce. Who will get the rights? Will way-out-of-their-comfort-zone creators Kaye (Ashley Park) and Bobby (Michael Urie) manage to deliver a draft of the s...
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#1 - Let the Games Begin

October 22, 2020 • 22 mins
Broadway Composer/Lyricist/Book Writers Bobby and Kaye are writing a top secret new musical. But nothing is secret on Broadway…not with the Broadway Disher around. After news about the new, in-the-works musical leaks, the Broadway community goes into full-tilt crazy chasing opportunities to get involved. This includes mega producers Steve Jones and Cheryl Philips, arch enemies. Jr. Agent Maxwell Fersby feebly attempts to help with ...
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#2 - Putting It Together

October 29, 2020 • 19 mins
Shortly after an epic meeting debacle at Sardi’s—where, true to form, the pigs in a blanket are an off-menu secret treat —Bobby and Kay tried to regroup as the new, contractually obligated writers of a not-Avatar musical. Producers Cheryl and Steve try to salvage their reputations before anyone knows what’s happened by bringing onboard acclaimed director-choreographer Zoey Taylor, who’s never met a dazzle she didn’t want to razzle....
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#3 - Writers on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

November 12, 2020 • 20 mins
The pressure is starting to get to Kay and Bobby—or maybe it’s just the caffeine—as they write the book, lyrics, and score for the first act of a musical that everyone thinks is based on the highest grossing movie of all time, but secretly… isn’t. Luckily, they have a brand-new science consultant joining the team to lead the way in the form of… “Dear Evan Hansen” star Andrew Barth Feldman? Producer’s Cheryl and Steve love this new ...
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#4 - Once On This Staten Island

November 19, 2020 • 17 mins
The workshop is here—well, actually, it’s on Staten Island. Did you know cars can go there? The whole team makes the trek to see what they’ve got, but there are a few surprises waiting… not least of which is the score. Could Kay and Bobby have a hit song on their hands? Or will Steve and Cheryl’s behind-the-scenes plotting derail what’s starting to work? At least Emma Olivia’s beloved barista is on hand for plenty of cappuccinos an...
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#5 - Hands on a Hardbody

December 3, 2020 • 19 mins
The team takes drives of shame home after the Staten Island debacle. Emma Olivia and Cheryl find themselves too close for comfort; Kay gives Bobby the silent treatment; Maxwell Fernsby has an interesting proposition for director-choreographer-cheerleader Zoey—and Steve may already have his next musical project lined up with Andrew Barth Feldman. No spoilers, but two words: Fantasy Island. For the full cast & creatives list, check...
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#6 - You Gotta Get a Gimmick

December 11, 2020 • 27 mins
The most important aspect of Avvatar is finally being discussed: No, not the new script from Thomas (which Kay is still fuming over privately). The marketing campaign! As producers Cheryl and Steve—and science consultant Andrew Barth Feldman—take meetings, Kay and Bobby try to make it work with new bookwriter Thomas, and Emma Olivia is enticed by Maxwell Fernsby, who might have more going on than these Broadway types realize. For...
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#7 - God, I Hope I Get It

December 17, 2020 • 22 mins
Auditions for Avvatar are finally here—how many blue-themed songs can one creative team hear? Just as hope seems lost for a dreamy leading man, a miracle of muscle and ability sweeps into Ripley-Grier and blows everyone away. And diva Emma-Olivia may be the most surprised of all. For the full cast & creatives list, check the show notes visit BPN.fm/AsTheCurtainRises. This is an original radio play produced by the Broadway Podcast...
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#8 - Red, White, and No Blue

January 15, 2021 • 19 mins
Stavros has completely enthralled the Avvatar team and Emma Olivia couldn’t be more thrilled! Well, no, not exactly….but she’s an actress and she can pretend! Speaking of pretending, Bobby and Kay are busy pretending that Thomas isn’t a problem. Steve and Cheryl are pretending they were never worried. And ambitious Maxwell Fernsby comes up against a brick wall.  For the full cast & creatives list, check the show notes visit BPN.f...
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BONUS - BPN Live Event with the ATCR Cast

January 28, 2021 • 59 mins
Originally streamed live on Jan 14th, 2021, cast members Alex Brightman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Lesli Margherita, Michael Urie, Lillias White, James Monroe Iglehart, Ramin Karimloo and a few surprise guests joined us for a fun chat about episodes 1 through 8. Watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/hbnguUYIHnM For the full cast & creatives list, check the show notes visit BPN.fm/AsTheCurtainRises. This is an original radio...
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BONUS - The Broadway Disher gets Broadwaysted!

April 1, 2021 • 22 mins
Play along as The Broadway Disher joins us for her take on the upcoming Avvatar: The Musical (An Unauthorized Parody). Check out AvvatarOnBroadway here! Check out As The Curtain Rises here! Subscribe to Broadwaysted here! Thanks to Lesli Margarita for always being amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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BONUS - Avvatar the Musical on Musicals with Cheese

April 1, 2021 • 11 mins
Avvatar is a new musical premiering at the Hellinger theatre! Check out more information here: http://avataronbroadway.com/ Donate to Black Lives Matter here Social Media: Our WEBSITE Musicals with Cheese on Twitter Musicals W/ Cheese on Instagram Email us at musicaltheatrelives@gmail.com Merch!! Jess Socials Jess on Twitter Jess on Instagram Andrew Socials Andrew on Instagram Andrew on Twitter Brianna Socials Brianna on Twitt...
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BONUS - Andrew Barth Feldman on The Theater Podcast with Alan Seales

April 1, 2021 • 13 mins
Many people know Andrew Barth Feldman made his Broadway debut in the title role in Dear Evan Hansen and is now starring in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but what most people don’t know is that while he was in DEH performing his 6 shows a week, he was also attending Yale -- and obtained a master’s degree that has landed him his latest gig being the Science Consultant on the forthcoming Avvatar The Musical. Find More ...
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BONUS - Mega Producers Cheryl Philips and Steve Jones Duke it Out on Stagecraft with Gordon Cox

April 1, 2021 • 26 mins
When left to their own devices, mega producers Cheryl Philips and Steve Jones from Avvatar: The Musical, who have a collective bazillion Tony Awards between the two of them, can't quite seem to agree on anything... except that Avvatar: The Musical needs to be made. Visit avvataronbroadway.com for more info and tickets, and make sure to subscribe to Stagecraft with Gordon Cox via bpn.fm/stagecraft. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
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#9 - Money, Money, Money

April 8, 2021 • 22 mins
Big Broadway Musicals don’t simply happen. Aside from all else, it’s an all-consuming monster challenge – to say the least – to raise the money to put on the show. But Producer Steve Jones has a few tricks up his sleeve to score the needed cash. Good thing the producers have a secret weapon who may solve their fundraising problems (and, undoubtedly, create many others!). Enter Stavros.   For the full cast & creatives list, check ...
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#10 - Press Day Has Arrived

April 15, 2021 • 39 mins
It’s Press Day which means that Opening Night is fast approaching. Exciting for sure….however unhinged, behind-the-scenes drama is at an all-time high. Who’s pushing Bobby’s buttons? What’s going on between Zoey and Andrew Barth Feldman? Is Emma-Olivia really 4 years older than Stavros? And is agent Maxwell Fernsby stepping into his boss’s slick shoes or is he stepping into something far less savory?  For the full cast & creative...
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#11 - I’m In Tech

April 22, 2021 • 27 mins
What happens when you’re only days away from first performance and your diva star loses her voice from non-stop hysterical behavior? Will Stavros’s star continue to rise and rise…while Emma Olivia becomes more and more unhinged?? Will Bobby order Calamari? Banshee wrangler Bill Berloni has no time to contemplate these important thoughts, as he’s completely consumed with Banshee flying and underwater training.  For the full cast &...
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#12 - What To Wear?! It’s Opening Night!

May 6, 2021 • 42 mins
It’s a star-studded extravaganza on the red (no wait…yellow) carpet. Time Square is completely transformed into Zoey’s version of Pandora. But all that glamour is barely masking the rampant tension backstage. The pressure is crushing as the recently voiceless diva, Emma-Olivia, prepares to take the stage on Opening Night. But where is she? And just how many push-ups with Stavros do before it’s curtain up? Will Kay even acknowledge ...
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