'& Juliet' Takeover

Featuring Betsy Wolfe, Stark Sands

Betsy Wolfe and Stark Sands are currently co-starring as the husband and wife duo Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare in the hit Broadway show, “& Juliet”. The two speak about their relationship with Max Martin and his songs, the broad appeal of the show, and how they got involved with it. Betsy reflects on what makes the show special. Being the only parents in the show, Betsy and Stark share fondly what it's like to have their kids watch the show and recognize the songs they sing outside of the play. From waiting at the stage door and dreaming of performing on stage to seeing kids, famous actors, and artists like Will Ferrell, Katy Perry, and Chris Martin watch their show is a full circle moment for both Betsy and Stark. The two recall their humble beginnings, what got them into theatre and performing, and what it's like to act alongside people they just used to admire. Both grateful for all these full circle moments in their lives, Betsy and Stark reflect on the fame that comes with being on Broadway and why it's different from being TV and movie famous but in a good way, and the importance of making bold choices and stepping out of the box.Betsy Wolfe - Broadway: Waitress (Jenna); Falsettos (Cordelia); Bullets Over Broadway (Ellen); The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Rosa Bud); 110 in the Shade; Everyday Rapture. Other credits include The Last 5 Years (Second Stage); Merrily We Roll Along (NY City Center Encores!); How to Succeed... (Kennedy Center). Soloist for over 60 symphonies across the world. Film/TV: Estella Scrooge, First One In, “Instinct.” BFA, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Co-founded BroadwayEvolved, a training program for students. For Poppy, always. Instagram: @bwolfepack. TikTok: @betsywolfe. broadwayevolved.combetsywolfe.comStark Sands - Broadway: To Kill a Mockingbird, Kinky Boots (Tony Award nomination, Grammy Award winner); American Idiot, Journey’s End (Tony Award nomination, Theatre World Award winner). Off-Broadway includes Twelfth Night (The Public Theater); The Tempest (Classic Stage Company, AEA Bayfield Award). Film includes The Post; Inside Llewyn Davis; Flags of Our Fathers; Die, Mommie, Die; Shall We Dance; 11:14. Television includes “Minority Report,” “Generation Kill,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Six Feet Under.” BFA: USC.Connect with Betsy and Stark: Instagram: @bwolfepack, @starkweather Website: www.betsywolfe.com BroadwayEvolved: http://betsywolfe.com/broadwayevolved Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.

Featuring Paulo Szot

Currently playing the role of Lance Du Bois in the hit Broadway show, "& Juliet", Paulo Szot is a Brazilian actor slash operatic baritone singer who opens up about his immigrant parents’ huge influence on his love of theatre and performing. Thanks to Paulo’s love for soccer, his lack of skills for the sport eventually led him to pursue performing instead. He recalls watching “A Chorus Line” which was also the moment he fell in love with the craft. This newfound calling led to Paulo’s (literal) journey to study in Poland and connect to his roots. He shares his 23-day travel by cargo ship, and his academic and professional life in Poland, including joining a song and dance company. While the pop music style of “& Juliet” isn’t exactly Paulo’s strong suit, his supportive colleagues and love for trying out and throwing himself into new experiences prevail. He reflects on why he honors his job by respecting everyone and learning from people, highlighting that perfection is wrong and that as humans, we always have to leave space for the unexpected.Paulo Szot is a Brazilian operatic baritone singer and actor who is known for his powerful and versatile voice, which has allowed him to excel in various genres, including opera, musical theater, and popular music. He’s performed everywhere, including with the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Philharmonic, and more. He won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Emile de Becque in the Broadway revival of "South Pacific," earning him a Tony Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Theatre World Award, and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He was also nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for the same role in his West End debut. Apart from “South Pacific”, he’s also appeared in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. Szot continues to impress audiences worldwide with his remarkable talent and charismatic stage presence in the hit Broadway show “& Juliet”.Connect with Paulo: Website: www.pauloszot.com Instagram: @pauloszot Facebook: @pauloszot Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.

Featuring Luke Sheppard, Jenn Weber

Luke Sheppard and Jenn Weber are two creative geniuses currently teaming up for the smash hit, "& Juliet", as the show’s director and choreographer, respectively. The two discuss the instant connection they had and where the concept for the show originated. While making "& Juliet" was originally a stretch for him, Luke recalls how it was also the most satisfying and fun he's ever had directing a show. The two recall how their journeys with "& Juliet" began, and how the workshops helped in getting the story and tone right. For Jenn the most exciting part is collaborating with the director and writer. The two take pride in the show’s culture where there’s room for support and honesty for each other. While Jenn and Luke’s stories on how they got into theatre differ, the two share a common approach when it comes to pursuing their dreams: not taking no for an answer—a true testament that rejection doesn’t mean failure and that you don’t have to follow the traditional path that most people take to get to where you want to be.Luke Sheppard is a British theatre director known for his work in the West End and on Broadway. He studied at the University of Warwick before going on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Sheppard's directing credits include the West End productions of "In the Heights," "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾," and "The Comedy About a Bank Robbery." He also directed the Broadway production of "& Juliet," which opened in 2019. Sheppard has won several awards for his work, including the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival for "In the Heights" in 2016. Jenn Weber is a choreographer and director who’s also a double Tony Award nominee for the 2022-2023 Broadway season with nominations for Best Choreography for her Broadway debuts of “& Juliet” and “KPOP”. She made her West End debut as the choreographer of “& Juliet” and collaborated with Disney+ as an Executive Producer and Choreographer for a new film version of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker”. Her Off-Broadway choreography credits include “KPOP”, “Teenage Dick”, “Cruel Intentions”, and “Stockholm”.Connect with Luke and Jenn:Instagram: @jenniferwebernycConnect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.

Featuring Philippe Arroyo

Currently making his Broadway debut as Francois Du Bois in "& Juliet", Philippe Arroyo takes us through his personal journey. The actor shares what he does to recharge, including having alone time and reading plays at the famed Drama Bookshop. He looks back on why he got into theatre and growing as a person as he surrounds himself with different people, becoming more honest on stage—quite a parallel with Francois. While Philippe shares that he's exactly where he wanted to be today, he's aware that life can be incredibly unpredictable and uncontrollable at the same time, and that it's one of the beauties of it. He recalls getting replaced in the past, auditioning for Francois and getting the call that he got the role and his standout pinch-me moment which is seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda in the audience. As a kid, Philippe wanted to be a writer, and now that he’s starting to make a name as an actor, he plans to pursue writing as well. And with his talent and his need/want to always be better in what he does, there’s definitely no stopping Philippe.Philippe Arroyo is an actor and a Carnegie Mellon graduate whose past includes the first national tour of “Aladdin”, Joe Iconis’ “Punk Rock Girl”, and the first national tour of “Into the Woods” among others. He also made an appearance in the series “Evil” and “Uncoupled”. Philippe currently making his Broadway debut playing Francois DuBois in the runaway hit “& Juliet”.Connect with Philippe: Instagram: @philippearroyo TikTok: @philippearroyo Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.

Featuring Brittany Nicholas

Brittany Nicholas is currently back on Broadway playing the role of Viola, as a swing, the understudy for Angelique, and as the dance captain in the runaway hit “& Juliet”. Perhaps unbeknownst to many, her Broadway debut was actually "Billy Elliot", where she was universal swing (before that was ever a thing!). She shares the wild story of how it all happened, and how it was all a blur. She looks back on her childhood, dancing since she was four all the way through gymnastics training in high school. In fact, her love for dancing became the gateway for her to get into theatre after joining Destination Broadway. This discovery eventually inspired Brittany to audition for…literally everything, eventually becoming a swing for “Billy Elliot ” without knowing what a swing was yet. She also shares when her journey with “& Juliet” started, and how her “Matilda” journey played a part in it. Being in a show where she gets to sing songs she grew up with, it’s the most fun Brittany’s ever had. Having multiple responsibilities in the show, she reflects on how she looks at the big picture and makes sure she knows everything—a seemingly challenging task that Brittany makes look easy, all thanks to her talent and passion for making things happen.Brittany Nicholas is a multi-hyphenate artist who made her Broadway debut in “Billy Elliot”. She was part of the original cast of “Mean Girls” and has starred in the National Tours of “Billy Elliot” and “Matilda the Musical”. Her TV credits include Marvel's “Hawkeye”, and “America's Got Talent”. Brittany is also a teacher, gymnastics coach, competition adjudicator, and dance captain. She is now back on the Broadway stage in the runaway hit “& Juliet” as Viola, as a swing, the understudy for Angelique, and as the dance captain.Connect with Brittany: Website: www.brittanynicholas.com Instagram: @brittnnicholas Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.