Little Known Facts With Ilana Levine

How To Be More Chill explores how the extraordinary musical “Be More Chill” arrived on Broadway in Spring 2019 with unprecedented momentum. Hosted by Ilana Levine of Little Known Facts and Sam Maher YesBroadway, the podcast centers around deep-dive interviews with the show’s creators and cast members as they give you the behind-the-scenes scoop on how the show entered the international pop culture  zeitgeist on such a massive scale and how the impact of the show’s fandom brought the show to Broadway. Good luck being chill about this podcast - Sam and Ilana definitely weren’t! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mario Cantone, the celebrated New York stage actor and stand-up comedian gained critical acclaim with his Tony-nominated one-man show Laugh Whore, from its appearance at the Cort Theatre on Broadway to the Showtime Network special. He also starred on Broadway as SAM BYCK in the Tony-winning Assassins,by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, BUZZ in Terrence McNally's Tony award-winning dramatic comedy, Love! Valor! Compassion! All three of these hit shows were directed by four-time Tony-winner Joe Mantello.  His other Broadway credits include GIDGER, in The Violet Hour(original Broadway cast), and STEPHANO (opposite Patrick Stewart), in Shakespeare's The Tempest. Off-Broadway Cantone also originated the roles of TERRY in The Crumple Zone,directed by Jason Moore, and MATT inSteve, for the New Group, directed by Cynthia Nixon. He is currently starring in A Room Of My Own(opposite Ralph Macchio), at the Abingdon Theatre. The feature film from work, from Cantone, include “Quiz Show”, directed by Robert Redford, Son

In this episode Ilana sat down with her friend and the producer of the first play Ilana ever did in New York, Tony Award winner - Daryl Roth. Roth is an award-winning theatre producer and President of Daryl Roth Productions. She is honored to hold the singular distinction of producing seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County (2008 Tony Award); Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award); How I Learned to Drive; Proof (2001 Tony Award); Edward Albee’sThree Tall Women; and Wit. The proud recipient of ten Tony Awards and London’s Olivier Award, highlights of her over 100 award winning productions both on and off Broadway include: The Tony and Olivier Award winning musical Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. Tour, London, Toronto, Australia, Korea, Japan); Bea Arthur on Broadway; Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s Caroline, or Change; Closer Than Ever; Curtains; Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (2002 Tony Award); The Humans (2016 Tony Award); Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Love, Loss, a

This weeks episode was recorded live at BroadwayCon 2019. In honor of Women's History Month, Ilana is joined by some other members of BroadwayMakers - all women- to share stories of how they took their passion for Broadway and turned it  into a successful business. Alisa Hurwitz, PsyD - a/k/a Dr. Drama is in private practice at The Counseling Center of Nashua where she has been a clinical psychologist for the past 7 years, specializing in working with individuals on the autism spectrum, providing structural family therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and therapy for LGBT individuals.  Jennifer Kahn is the founder and CEO of Scenery Bags, which uses retired  show backdrops to make fashionable clutches. Part of the proceeds go to the Theater Development Fund to take kids to the theater. Gillian Pensavalle - Gillian is the creator and host of The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast, the first Hamilton podcast to hit the airwaves in January of 2016, which has since earned the title of "The Official Hami

Amy was last seen onstage in Mike Bartlett’s play LOVE LOVE LOVE at the Roundabout theatre directed by Michael Mayer, for which she earned an Obie award. She made her Broadway debut in Wendy Wasserstein’s THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG.  Amy was nominated for two TONY awards as  best featured actress for her performances in UNCLE VANYA and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Other theatre credits include DETROIT by Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit,  at Playwrights Horizons, Amy is perhaps best known for her acclaimed performance in Ben Affleck’s GONE BABY GONE, for which she was earned an Academy Award nomination. She can be seen in the upcoming films, STRANGE BUT TRUE and LOST GIRLS. Other film credits include: BEAUTIFUL BOY,BIRDMAN, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, BRIDGE OF SPIES, GOOSEBUMPS, ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE, LOUDER THAN BOMBS, DON VERDEAN, BREATHE IN,  CLEAR HISTORY, DEVIL’S KNOT ,WIN WIN, GREEN ZONE, JACK GOES BOATING, CHANGELING; BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD, CAPOTE, DAN IN REAL LIFE, WAR OF THE WORLDS, and KEANE. Amy’s tele

Jason Moore most recently directed the Broadway musical The Cher Show, which showcases Cher's life story brought to the stage featuring her beloved chart-topping hits. Starring Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks, Micaela Diamond and Jarrod Spector, with costumes by designer Bob Mackie, The Cher Show will began previews in November 2018 at the Neil Simon Theatre prior to the opening night on December 3, 2018. In addition, he’s currently directing Superhero at the Second Stage theatre which is set to begin on January 31, 2019. Starring Kate Baldwin, Kyle Mcarthur and Bryce Pinkham, Superhero is a deeply human new musical about a fractured family, the mysterious stranger in apartment 4-B, and the unexpected hero who just might save the day. Moore’s feature directorial debut, Pitch Perfect, starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow, was both a critical and commercial success. Written by Kay Cannon, the film premiered in 2012 and follows Beca, a freshman at Barden University, who is cajoled into joining T

At BroadwayCon 2019 Ilana Levine (LUCY), Anthony Rapp ( CHARLIE BROWN),  Kristin Chenoweth (SALLY), BD Wong (LINUS), Roger Bart (SNOOPY) and director, Michael Mayer, reunited on stage at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to talk all things "You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown." Here is that event, recorded live, for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At BroadwayCon 2019, Ilana led a fascinating and illuminating panel on "The Making Of A Cast Recording" with the star of Head Over Heels, Bonnie Milligan and Kurt Deutsch, Senior VP at Warner/ Chappell Music. Bonnie Milligan recently made her broadway debut to critical acclaim starring in Head Over Heels. Previous to HOH, Bonnie was seen playing the original role of Pat in the first national tour of Kinky Boots and off broadway in God Bless You, Mr Rosewater (Encores!), Gigantic (Vineyard), Jasper in Deadland (Prospect). Television credits include the recurring role of Kathryn on Search Party (TBS), Happy! (Sci Fi) and the upcoming new series from Ben Stiller. Twitter: @beltingbonnie Instagram @beltingbons Kurt Deutsch is an actor, director, record producer and film producer. He is the Senior Vice President for Theatrical & Catalog Development for Warner/Chappell Music, and President of Sh-K-Boom Records, a division of Warner Arts Music. Upon his joining Warner/Chappell Music, CEO Jon Platt stated that “Kurt

Harry Hadden-Paton is a British actor renown for his work in the U.K. and recently in the U.S. on stage and screen, some of his credits include; LCT -  My Fair Lady (Theatre World Award; Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League nominations). West End includes The Importance of Being Earnest (Ian Charleson Award nom.), Flare Path and The Pride. Off-West End includes She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre), Posh (Royal Court), The Changeling (Young Vic) and The Prince of Homburg (Donmar Warehouse). Film: The Little Stranger, About Time, The Hollow Crown, The Deep Blue Sea, In the Loop, La Vie en Rose. TV includes Bertie Pelham on “Downton Abbey,” Martin Charteris on “The Crown,” Gaston de Foix on “Versailles” and Hans von Enke on “Wallander.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patti Murin is an accomplished stage and television actress. Known for her acclaimed Broadway performances, Murin currently stars as ‘Anna’ in the Broadway production of Disney’s "Frozen." With lyrics written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Frozen is the timeless tale of a fearless princess who sets off on a journey alongside a rugged iceman, his loyal pet reindeer, and a naive snowman to find her estranged sister. Murin made her Broadway debut in 2007’s "Xanadu," in which she played the roles of Euterpe, Siren, and Thetis. Based on the film of the same name, "Xanadu" centers on a Greek muse who is sent to Earth to inspire Californians during the 1980s. Four years later, Murin played the lead of ‘Lysistrata Jones’ in 2011’s "Lysistrata Jones," a modern day adaptation of Aristophanes’ "Lysistrata." Soon after, Patti starred as ‘Glinda’ in the national tour of Broadway’s renowned play "Wicked." In addition to her performances on Broadway, Patti Murin has also starred in a wide range of off-Broadway theatrical produc

Ilana was the host of a benefit concert for Stronger Than Hate - A benefit concert for the  Tree Of Life Synagogue. The Jewish community and Broadway friends perform for a night of unification benefitting the Pittsburgh congregation and victims' families of the tragic October shooting. The evening features cast members from the National Yiddish Theatre's Fiddler on the Roof, a speaker from the Anti-Defamation League, and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Proceeds  go to Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Hosted by Ilana the evening  cast members donating their talents include: Jodi Bluestein (Disney On Classic), Julie Gold ("From A Distance"), Jillian Gottlieb (The Golden Bride), Nathan Klau(Jersey Boys), Danny Harris Kornfeld (Renascence), Samantha G. Harris (Tree of Life congregant), Rebecca Kuznick (Company), Gary John LaRosa (Fiddler on the Roof), Stephanie Lynne Mason (Fiddler on the Roof), Jesse Manocherian (Marry Harry), Rosie Jo Neddy (Fiddler on the Roof), Bill Nolte (Waitress), C

Jeremy Jordan is a Tony and Grammy-nominated actor and singer. He starred for the past three years on the CBS and CW hit, Supergirl. He can be heard as the voice of ‘Varian' in Disney Channel’s animated series, Tangled, based on the 2010 hit movie. Earlier, he was a series regular on NBC’s musical drama, Smash, and he starred opposite Anna Kendrick in the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s beloved musical, The Last 5 Years. He was honored with the Rising Star award at the Napa Film Festival for his work on that film. Jeremy also starred opposite Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton in Todd Graff's Warner Bros. picture, Joyful Noise. On Broadway, he originated the role of 'Jack Kelly' in Disney's hit musical, Newsies, earning Tony, Grammy and Drama Desk nominations. He reprised the role in 2016 in Disney’s nationwide release of Newsies, taped live onstage at LA’s Pantages Theatre. Jeremy originated the role of 'Clyde Barrow' in Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde, for which he won the Theatre World Award. He got his Broa

Mike Birbiglia is a writer, comedian, actor, and director. A contributor to “This American Life” and “The Moth,” he is the author of the New York Times best-selling book “Sleepwalk with Me and Other Painfully True Stories,” which was a finalist for the Thurber Prize For American Humor. He has appeared on the television shows “Orange Is the New Black,” “Broad City” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” He wrote, directed, and starred in the films “Sleepwalk with Me” and “Don’t Think Twice.” His recent solo plays include “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend,” “Thank God for Jokes,” and “The New One,” which is currently in a 12 week run on Broadway at the Cort Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laura Dreyfuss sat down for a live interview with Ilana at the W Hotel in Times Square on a rainy Sunday night and they talked about everything from life after Dear Evan Hansen, their friendship with Tony Award winner Ben Platt and their mutual love of dogs! Dreyfuss just wrapped season one of the highly anticipated Netflix series THE POLITICIAN, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. In it, she stars opposite Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange. Before that, Dreyfuss starred in and originated the lead female role of “Zoe” in the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.” Dreyfuss played the role since the musical made its world premiere in 2015 at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. She was nominated for a 2016 Helen Hayes Award for Best Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical on behalf of that performance. Dreyfuss then performed in the role off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater before its highly anticipated transfer to Broadway’s Music Box Theatre in December 2016. Since its Broadway debut, “Dear

Ilana Levine hosted her Little Known Facts podcast on stage at The Atlantic Theater Company with special guests Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Academy Award winner Mary Steenburgen has appeared in over 60 films. She is known for her work in the films Melvin And Howard, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Step Brothers, and television shows “Justified,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Mary most recently starred alongside Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen in Paramount Pictures’ Book Club. For 4 years, Mary starred alongside Will Forte in FOX’s critically-acclaimed comedy series, “The Last Man on Earth”. Additional television credits include “30 Rock”, “Bored to Death”, and “Blunt Talk”. Additional film credits include Goin’ South, Time After Time, Ragtime, Philadelphia, Back To The Future 3, Cross Creek, Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy, Miss Firecracker, The Proposal, Elf, Dirty Girl, Four Christmases, The Help, and Last Vegas. Partial theater credits include Holiday, Candida, Marvin’s R

LILLI COOPER - Broadway: Tootsie (Julie Nichols), SpongeBob SquarePants (Sandy Cheeks),Wicked (Elphaba), Spring Awakening (Original Broadway Cast). Theater favorites: Sundown, Yellow Moon (WP Theater), Tick, Tick...Boom! (Keen Company), Natasha...Great Comet of 1812 (A.R.T.), The Wildness (Ars Nova), Noir (NYSF & NAMT), The Threepenny Opera (Atlantic Theater). TV: Instinct, The Good Fight, Bull, & Elementary(CBS). Film: Spielberg's “The Post”, Creator and star of the web-series: “It’s Not Okay, Cupid” (Glamour.com). Cooper is a native New Yorker, LaGuardia Arts and Vassar alum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Iconis joins Ilana Levine for a live podcast taping at the W Hotel in Times Square, New York.  Joe Iconis is a writer and performer. He is a creature of Manhattan and can frequently be spotted banging away on a dirty old piano. As a composer - lyricist - book writer, he has authored the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, Bloodsong of Love, The Black Suits, ReWrite, Theaterworks USA’s The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks and We The People, and the currently in development Hunter S. Thompson Musical and Love In Hate Nation. The original cast recording of his musical phenomenon Be More Chill has over 80 million streams, and his song “Broadway, Here I Come!” was hailed by the New York Times as a new entry in the Great American Songbook. Albums: Be More Chill (Original Cast Recording), Things To Ruin (Original Cast Recording) and The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree all available on Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records. Joe’s songs appeared on Season 2 of NBC’s “Smash” and his writing has been featured in The

Steven Levenson is the Tony Award-winning book writer of Dear Evan Hansen. His plays include If I Forget, The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin, Days of Rage, and The Language of Trees. Honors include the Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award, and the Helen Hayes Award. He worked for three seasons as a writer and producer on Showtime’s Masters of Sex and is a founding member of Colt Coeur and an alumnus of MCC’s Playwrights Coalition and Ars Nova’s Play Group. His work has been published by Dramatists Play Service and Playscripts. A graduate of Brown University, he is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc. and the WGA. Upcoming projects include the limited series Fosse/Verdon (FX) and the film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s tick, tick…boom! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A born and bred New Yorker, Jill Kargman, is the creator, writer, producer and star of the scripted comedy “Odd Mom Out” in which Ms. Kargman played a satirical version of herself navigating the hilarity of raising children on the upper east side in NYC. Ms. Kargman attended The Spence School, The Taft School and Yale University. After graduating, and working for magazines, television and movies, Ms. Kargman began writing novels to give her more flexibility to be home with her three children: Sadie, Ivy, and Fletch. She is a New York Times best-selling author of multiple books, and her most recent book, a comedic essay collection, “Sprinkle Glitter on my Grave”, was published in September 2016 by Random House. She made her Café Carlyle debut in January 2017 with her sold out show Stairway to Cabaret ~ singing heavy metal songs ~ cabaret style. Jill hosts the Jill Kargman show on SiriusXM Stars Channel 109. Jill is also a performer with the Upright Citizens Brigade improvisational and sketch comedy group. Jill

Michael Urie currently stars on Broadway in Torch Song Trilogy. He previously starred in Buyer & Cellar playing multiple characters – including Barbra Streisand – in this one-man tour de force. For that role Urie won the Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, LA Theatre Critics and the Clarence Derwent Awards for Most Promising Male Performer. Before Torch Song Trilogy he was probably best known as the delicious Marc St. James on the award-winning Ugly Betty, the series that introduced him to and made him a favorite of TV audiences everywhere. Following that series, he spent most of his time in critically acclaimed stage productions. He played iconic fashion designer Rudi Gernreich in The Temperamentals, a role he originated in New York where he received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. He followed that run with appearances off-Broadway in the Classic Stage Company’s production of The Cherry Orchard, the revival of Angels in America, and opposite Patti LuPone in Lincoln Center Theater’s world premier