About our Interview with

Paul Alexander Nolan. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s BRIGHT STAR just opened on Broadway, and we had the pleasure of having Paul, who stars as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, in the studio just after previews began. Paul was great fun in this interview. His charming, down to earth style really comes through in our chat. He talks about shamefully crying on an airplane as he first read the script for BRIGHT STAR, as well as “bombing” his first audition for the show. We also talk about the struggle and joy of playing Guy in ONCE, in addition to finding the humanity of Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Listen in to find out how he can sing a song with a biscuit in his mouth, as well as what makes him feel like he “can’t imagine a fresher hell!”

Links to learn more

• Paulalexandernolan.com
• Bright Star

Paul Nolan[/caption]

Violinist, Daniel Andai talked with us about his pathway to his current career as concertmaster for the Miami Symphony, Dean of Music at the New World School of the Arts and Artistic Director of the Killington Music Festival.  Following his instincts to follow opportunities that came his way he has created a multifaceted career. We talked about his; mentors, finding his way to conducting, his thesis “A Contemporary Approach to Orchestral Bowings for the Concertmaster”, his work with chamber music at the Killington Music Festival, collaborative approaches and how to teach them, learning conducting and how it has taught him so much about the collaborative process of the orchestra, management skills he uses in both conducting and administrative roles, the importance of the audition process, difficulty of musical training today and how the New World School is helping musicians, how he finds a balance in life between his various pursuits and the skills he improved to be efficient.

About our Interview with

Lorin Latarro: Choreographer Lorin Latarro was 2 weeks into the rehearsal process for the highly anticipated new musical by Sara Bareilles: WAITRESS when she sat down with us in the studio. Lorin tells a great story involving Barry Weissler, and Diane Paulus and how she actually got the job to be the choreographer for the new musical. While she says she’s “lucky” to have had so many successful working collaborations, it is clear to us that talent and her great personality are the key to her “luck.” We also touch on her transition from a dancer who has 14 Broadway credits, to a choreographer. Lorin recounts her Broadway debut as a dancer in which she left her Radio City show, started rehearsal on a Monday, and by Friday night was on. A self described “work horse,” Lorin is also the Artistic Associate at Bucks County Playhouse, and teaches at her alma mater, Juilliard where she is continuing to help dancers find their voice on many levels. She is also a strong advocate for the school to develop a musical theatre program. Listen in; we are sure you will love Lorin just as much as we did.

Links to learn more

• Lorinlatarro.com
• Waitress The Musical

Lorin Latarro

Accordionist, Carl Riehl, joined us in the studio to share his story of a dual career as a Lawyer and Musician. Composer of three off Broadway musicals and commercial jingles, he always followed his mantra to pursue any interesting opportunity that comes along that he can do or learn how to do. He talked about; his transition from classical piano to the accordion, his current instrument choice, how he landed the “An American in Paris” gig, the accordionist network in Manhattan, physical injuries caused by playing the accordion, different schools of accordion technique, diversity of repertoire with the accordion, creating performances venues-bands, adjusting as a musician from a classical background into a pop musician, how he learned to improvise, how he practices improvisation and practicing the fundamentals.