Episode 188 – A Broadway Holiday: Nathan Lane, Susan Stroman, and the Cast of The Illusionists: Magic of The Holiday

Nathan Lane, The Illusionists, The Drama League, Drama League Gala, Susan Stroman

Today on Talk For Two, Matt Bailey & Hersh Ellis give a wrap-up of the biggest Broadway industry events of the fall, plus Matt talks to the cast of The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays.

Hersh is back to chat with Matt about all things Broadway! Matt and Hersh attended both the Oscar Hammerstein awards honoring iconic, Tony-Winning choreographer and director Susan Stroman, as well as the Drama League Gala, which honored the film and theatre legend Nathan Lane.

First up, Matt and Hersh talk to luminaries at the 2018 Hammerstein Awards. The award honors the Lifetime Achievement of a theater professional each year. The award is named for theatrical musical composer Oscar Hammerstein. This year, Susan Stroman won the award. She has racked up a staggering 5 Tony wins and a total of 17 nominations. Her most famous works include Directing and/or Choreographing The Scottsboro Boys, Big Fish, and The Producers.

At the Drama League Gala, Matt talks with stars of stage and screen including Ernie Sabella, Pumba to Lane’s Timon in the Disney classic the Lion King. Plus, former Phantom of the Opera star Norm Lewis, and Drama League Board President Stan Ponte drop by to chat with Matt. Of course, Nathan Lane also spends a few minutes discussing his most recent role.

And lastly, Matt tells Hersh about his experience covering The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays. Matt had the opportunity to speak with most of the cast, including Adam Trent, Chloe Crawford, Colin Cloud, and the most recent winner of America’s Got Talent, Shin Lim,  during a press day late last month. This iteration, the show’s fourth stop on Broadway, runs through December 31. Matt has some mixed feelings about this year’s outing, but gives an overall positive review and highly recommends you see it before it disappears from Broadway yet again. The Illusionists have truly become a Holiday Tradition in their own right!

Happy Holidays from Talk For Two!!