Something New - A Musical Theatre Podcast

JBN sits down with the one and only Marita Stryker, an entertainer, educator, and explorer. Ms. Stryker is an accomplished actress, vocalist, dancer, yoga instructor, and cellist. On land, her performing credits include the national tour of John Doyle’s production of SWEENEY TODD and numerous productions with Austin Musical Theatre and Music Theatre Wichita. Marita has performed in 32 states, 40 countries, and 5 continents. She is the founder of Live @ Sea, a sea of information about working as an entertainer on cruise ships, currently in development. (maritastryker.com, liveatsea.info) Song Premiere: "The Fort", music and lyrics by Joel B. New (joelbnew.com). Accompanied by Mike Pettry (mikepettry.com).

JBN sits down with actress and voice/text/dialect coach Amy Jo Jackson. Her bio is filled with an array of cool projects, most recently as the dialect coach on the Tony Award-winning musical KINKY BOOTS, and as an actor in Exit, Pursued by a Bear's DANI GIRL. Ms. Jackson is a 2013 IRNE and Elliot Norton nominee for her role as "Female Soloist" in Speakeasy Stage Company's production of BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, has collaborated with such respected theatre companies as The Flea, The Pearl, Prospect Theater, The Cell, and is the dialect coach on the new Maltby & Shire musical BEHIND THE PAINTING. Amy Jo can currently be seen in Empirical Rogue’s SUICIDE?!, and is the Voice & Text Director on the upcoming MYSTERIES at The Flea. (www.amyjojackson.com) Song Premiere: "Cute White Boy" from Joel B. New's STANDALONE: A SONG CYCLE. (www.joelbnew.com). Accompanied by Mike Pettry (www.mikepettry.com)

JBN sits down with esteemed colleague Nathan Siler (www.nathansiler.com), a composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. Nathan's project, Portraiture, released their debut LP, "Real as Ritual", last year. In his vast career, he has supported, produced, and toured with renowned indies such as The Lovely Sparrows, Steve Burns and the Struggle, and Brothers NYC. As a classical singer, Mr. Siler has performed at Carnegie Hall with American Symphony Orchestra and the Collegiate Chorale, is a soloist in the acclaimed chamber choir Musica Viva of New York, and he fosters a close relationship with up and coming composers, singing for many premieres of music in the NYC Classical scene. Song Premiere: "Another Dead End" from TO HELL AND BACK, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Featuring Dan Radzikowski on piano.With Manna Nichols, Sam Simahk, Heather Corrigan, Christine Paterson, Jennifer Anderson, Marita Stryker, Jacob Schneider, Karl Michael Johnson, Patrick Laslie, and Leah Darby.

JBN sits down with Justin Boccitto (justinboccitto.net), a producer, choreographer, director, educator, and performer. He currently serves as Executive Producer of The Group Theatre Too in Manhattan (grouptheatretoo.org). Since The Group’s creation in 2003, he has overseen and produced MAC Award-Winning cabaret artist, Alisa Schiff in Mama Said…The Songs of Cass Elliot as well as New York tap company, Generation Tap, who has performed in Tap City, Circle in the Square and the United Nations. As a director, he led the national tour of Dance/Speak: The Life of Agnes de Mille starring Patricia Conolly. He currently directs & choreographs for Circle in the Square Theatre School with credits including Lippa's Wild Party, Urinetown,The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Tenderloin. As a performer he went on to appear with The Metropolitan Opera, the Willow Cabin Theatre Company and the New York Theatre Ballet. Here currently teaches Tap and Theatre Dance at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan. Song Premi

JBN sits down with Sheri Sanders! A musical theatre actress insisting on her own diversity, and pliability, Ms. Sanders tapped into the ever changing state of Musical Theatre, realized that her greatest love was finding its way onto the Broadway stage, film and television, and now pioneers as the only person to bridge those gaps. She piloted her masterclass, ROCK THE AUDITION, at Pace University, and since then has taught all across America, and is a Rock Musical Repertoire Coach and private audition coach in NYC. Backstage paid a visit to her rock class, wrote an article about her leading a revolution, and the next thing you know, she was asked to create the pilot episode of the reality television show MY TIME on The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). She was then immediately invited by Hal Leonard books to be the first person to ever write a book on auditioning for rock musicals. In the history of the world. Song Premiere: "Beautiful, Sleeping Giant" from STANDALONE: A SONG CYCLE. Music and lyrics by Jo

JBN sits down with acclaimed musical theatre performer and songwriter Drew Gasparini. Drew's musicals include "Above My Pay Grade", “Make Me Bad”, "Circles", "Inappropriate Stories Told At a Bar", and “Crazy, Just Like Me,” which is about to receive an industry reading here in the city. He has also released three albums of his own work, including the recently released “I Could Use A Drink," and his song "Good For You" was featured in the NBC musical series "Smash.” Song Premiere: "Let Her Go" from TO HELL AND BACK, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Logan Culwell on piano. Backup vocalists: Jamie Buxton, Ian Gibb, Joe Hager, Joanne Javian, Shane Saldivar, Jaclyn Stapp, Jessica Swersey, and Liz Ulmer. Recorded live at TruVoice Studios NYC on Sunday, November 3rd, 2013.

In this super special season finale, JBN sits down with the world-renowned Gay Marshall (www.gaymarshall.com). In the world of musical theatre, her extensive credits include the original French production of CATS (playing Grizabella) and the recent Capital Rep revival of JACQUE BREL. She is also one of the most respected interpreters of the Edith Piaf catalog, having written a one-woman show and recorded a full-length album of her work. Song Premiere: "Button In My Pocket," music and lyrics by Joel B. New. This episode was recorded on Sunday, July 14th, 2013.

JBN sits down with singer-songwriter David Alan Thornton (www.davidalanthornton.com). A frequenter of the Path Café and Rockwood Music Hall, Mr. Thornton has produced, written for, and performed in concerts all over New York City, from the Laurie Beechman to Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Song Premiere: "Drip" from STANDALONE, A SONG CYCLE. Music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Also featuring Dan Radzikowski, Lindsie VanWinkle, and Stephanie Joiner. This episode was recorded on Sunday, June 23rd, 2013.

JBN sits down with special guest artist Christine Paterson, who specializes in massage therapy for vocal health and TMJ therapy. She is part of a network of Speech Pathologists, Otolaryngologists, and Psychotherapists that provide care for people with Vocal Trauma. Her technique is a mixture of Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Deep Tissue massage. (www.lifelightmassage.com, www.christinepaterson.com) Song Premiere: "Paisley" (Female Version) from STANDALONE, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. This episode was recorded on Sunday, June 23rd, 2013.

JBN sits down with Chris York, a New York City-based voice teacher. Mr. York's clients -- ranging in ages from six to adult -- can currently be seen on Broadway, National Tours and regionally (www.chrisyorkvoicestudio.com). Song Premiere: "Maybe Later" from STANDALONE: A SONG CYCLE. Music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Episode recorded on 6/22/13.

JBN sits down with musical theatre performer and Pilates instructor Stephanie Joiner (www.pilatesnyc.com, www.stephaniejoiner.com) to discuss how being kind to your body is key to a happy life as a person and artist. Song Premiere: "Another Mouth to Feed" from MACKENZIE & THE MISSING BOY, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Episode recorded on 6/8/13.

An evening of songs from the hit iTunes podcast. Music and Lyrics by JOEL B. NEW. All proceeds to benefit the Human Rights Campaign. In honor of Kathy New. Produced by Liz Ulmer. Directed by Lori Steinberg. Musical Direction by Dan Radzikowski. Featuring the vocal stylings of: LIZ ASTI, EDMUND BAGNELL, GREG ETLING, SCOTT GUTHRIE, LESLIE HENSTOCK, STEPHANIE JOINER, MELANIE KANN, CHARLIE LEVY, MELISSA McKAMIE, JENNY NEALE, CHRISTINE PATERSON, DAN RADZIKOWSKI, NATHAN SILER, STEPHANIE SINE, DAVID ALAN THORNTON, LIZ ULMER, LINDSIE VANWINKLE, and CHRIS YORK. With Jessica Winderweedle on percussion, Dan Radzikowski on piano, Edmund Bagnell on violin, Nathan Siler on guitar, and Joel B. New guitar. Recorded live on Monday, May 20th, 2013 @ 7PM, Stage 72 @ The Triad in New York.

JBN sits down with musical theatre performer and Weight Watchers Ambassador Melanie Kann (www.melaniekann.com) to discuss success, both on and off the stage -- as well as on and off the scale. Song premiere: "Must Be Nice" from STANDALONE, A SONG CYCLE (music and lyrics by Joel B. New). Episode recorded on March 24th, 2013.

JBN sits down with Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina, aka The Skivvies, an award-winning NYC musical duo that does stripped down versions of eclectic covers and eccentric originals. Not only are the arrangements stripped down - cello, ukulele, glockenspiel, melodica - but the Skivvies literally strip down to their underwear to perform (www.theskivviesnyc.com). Song Premiere: "Time Killers" from Joel B. New's TO HELL AND BACK. This episode was recorded on March 9th, 2013.

JBN sits down with award-winning choreographer Roy Lightner (www.facebook.com/roylightner.choreographer). Song Premiere: "Hold," a trunk song from an earlier conceptualization of TO HELL AND BACK. Episode recorded on March 13th, 2013.

JBN sits down with Liz Ulmer, a champion and producer of new work (www.ulmertheatricals). Song Premiere: "I Pass A Sign (Guitar Arrangement)" from STANDALONE: A SONG CYCLE, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Interview recording date: 3/3/13. Song recorded live on 3/30/13 at the Queens Guitar School (queensguitarschool.com), with Joel B. New and Ivan Orellana on guitar.

"RSVP" - a chamber musical.Book, Music, and Lyrics by Joel B. New.Directed by Lori Wolter Hudson.Cast:Greg Etling as "Michael Walker",Jenny Neale as "Susan",Scott Guthrie as "The Stranger"."RSVP" was recorded live at Ripley-Grier Studios in NYC on 3/16/13 (www.ripleygrier.com). Sound design by Emily Auciello.About The Piece: "RSVP" takes place in Middle America in the early 1970’s. To be specific, this is the morning of Michael and Susan’s wedding. Michael is a nonfiction writer by trade, but on this morning – when he should be getting ready for the ceremony – he finds himself fixated on his first attempt at fiction. Writing what he knows, Michael creates the protagonist in his own image. However, when his fictional self is confronted with a familiar stranger from the future, the real Michael is unprepared to face some facts.For more info, please visit www.joelbnew.com.

JBN sits down with director Lori Wolter Hudson to discuss the developmental process of his 20-minute musical radio play, "RSVP". The episode includes sneak peaks from the score, performed by Greg Etling, Jenny Neale, and Scott Guthrie. "RSVP" will premiere in its entirety on SOMETHING NEW on April 1st, 2013. (Interview Recording Date: 3/24/13; mixed and edited by Emily Auciello)

JBN sits down with musical theatre performer, director, and circus artist extraordinaire Stephanie Sine (www.youtube.com/StephSineWilson). Song Premiere: "You Break It, You Buy It" from MACKENZIE & THE MISSING BOY, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Recorded on 12/4/12.

JBN sits down with Matt Castle (2006 Broadway revival of COMPANY), whose creative hats impressively include actor, music director, arranger, orchestrator, and vocal coach (http://www.mattcastle.com/). Song Premiere: "Omission" from RSVP, music and lyrics by Joel B. New. Recorded on 1/20/13.