Julia Murney — of Wild Party, Lennon, and Wicked fame — is celebrating her 50th year of life by doing #FiftyFabulousThings. She is here to celebrate the 50th episode of Laura Heywood Interviews! Julia & Laura’s conversation runs the gamut from growth mindset to Disneyland to philanthropy to a scandal involving Julia, Rosie O’Donnell and the National Enquirer. Plus, unexpected guests Nick Scandalios (The Nederlander Organization) and DNR Studios’ “I Love My Wife” podcast hosts Kelli Carpenter and Ann Steele pop in for multiple simultaneous surprise reunions!
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Laura Heywood Interviews Shoba Narayan (Hamilton, Great Comet)
Just off of a triumphant run as Eliza Hamilton in the National Tour of Hamilton: An American Musical, followed by celebrating her wedding in a fete worthy of the movies, Shoba Narayan has returned to New York, and New York is celebrating. Specifically celebrating at the Greenroom 42 inside the Yotel on 10th Avenue & 40th Street, where Shoba will be performing for one night only in her solo show, PLACES, which will use the songs of Ingrid Michaelson, Coldplay, Beyonce, and more — yes, including Hamilton — to tell the story of her two-year journey across the country and what it means to find home.
Laura Heywood Interviews Brenda Meaney (Little Gem at Irish Rep)
Brenda Meaney is currently starring in “Little Gem” at Irish Repertory Theater as Lorraine, who is juggling roles as the single mother of a pregnant teenager and the only child of aging parents, while trying to stave off her own mental breakdown. But far from a tale of despair, this production is a comedic and poignant three-hander, running 100 minutes with no intermission.
“Little Gem” is playing at Irish Rep through September 8. For tickets and information visit www.IrishRep.org.
Under 35? Get $25 tickets at https://irishrep.org/box-office/greenseats/!
Laura Heywood Interviews Rachel Sussman (theatre and event producer)
Rachel Sussman is a Tony Award-nominated producer committed to cultivating dynamic, inclusive theatrical work through collaboration. With credits including What The Constitution Means To Me, The Woodsman, NYMF (Artistic Director), and Audible, she is also the lead producer and co-creator of In a new musical by Shaina Taub about the American women’s suffrage movement. In addition to theatre, Rachel and Laura discuss intersectionality, trans visibility, putting the B back in LGBTQ+, homelessness (specifically Rachel’s work with Covenant House) and even Rachel’s childhood performing with her family dog.
Laura Heywood Interviews Jawan M. Jackson (Ain’t Too Proud)
Jawan M. Jackson is currently on Broadway playing Melvin Franklin, one of the original and longest lasting members of the Temptations. From the group’s founding in the early 1960s to Melvin’s death in 1995, he never left the group — and his impact has never left the world of music.
As one of the most recognizable voices in the Motown family — or truly in any music of the time — Melvin had a voice so deep it made the walls vibrate.
Finding a voice that could recreate this legend for the stage was no easy feat. But that voice was found — attached to a brilliant actor, a handsome face, and a budding dancer who proved easy to teach those signature Temptations moves.
This is the second Broadway show in which Jawan M. Jackson has played this same man — the first being a two and a half year run in Motown: the Musical, where the Temps were just one of a whole slew of featured groups. This time, we get to experience their deep back story, and through Jawan’s smooth and captivating performance, we watch Melvin grow from a timid teenager to a persistent veteran who insists on remaining with the Temptations despite the debilitating pain that came with age.
There’s a lot of focus put on Jawan M. Jackson’s voice, because it’s so low and so unique and dare I say so sexy. But there is so much more to this this performer, this man, this human being.
Yes, we get the history of “that voice” — but we also get (forgive me) “DEEPER” into how he got to Broadway without having an agent; the despondence that can follow having all of one’s dreams come true — and how Jawan pushed past that to create and pursue new dreams; what inspires him to get up in the morning; and how helping others pursue their own dreams has become a critical part of this man’s purpose.
Laura Heywood Interviews is proud to welcome Jawan M. Jackson!