Storybeat With Steve Cuden

The brilliant, multi-talented Frank Ferrante, has enjoyed a 35-year career in the theater as an actor, director and producer.At age 23, he debuted Off-Broadway in the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue written by Arthur Marx, son of the legendary comedian Groucho Marx. For that role, Frank won New York’s Theatre World Award and a New York Outer Critics Circle nomination. He revived the role in London’s West End, where he was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year.’ Since then, he’s reprised the role more than 3,000 times in over 500 cities throughout the world primarily in his touring solo show An Evening With Groucho, which was filmed at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and re-titled Frank Ferrante’s Groucho for broadcast on PBS.The Chicago Tribune named Frank a 2019 top ten theater performer for his work as comic host, The Caesar, in the cirque spectacular, Teatro ZinZanni – a role he’s played for 20 years. At Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre, he directed an

The extraordinary movie and TV producer, Chris Moore, has returned to StoryBeat for the third time. You know Chris’s work from such memorable and popular movies like Good Will Hunting, the American Pie movies, Promised Land, The Adjustment Bureau, Manchester by the Sea, and such TV series as Project Greenlight and The Chair.On today’s StoryBeat, which was recorded in February of 2022, we’ll continue to explore what’s happening in Hollywood during the time of Covid. Chris is on the forefront of motion picture production, and we’re truly fortunate to gain his great insight into the ever shifting landscape of today’s entertainment industry.

Douglas Levine is a composer, pianist, music director and educator based right here in Pittsburgh. He’s the composer/co-lyricist of the new musical Claws Out!, which was  filmed and premiered online in 2020 by City Theatre. He’s also the composer/lyricist of Jazz Time!, a new musical filmed and streamed online in 2021 by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Arts Education Dept. Douglas’s original scores have been premiered by such companies as: Pittsburgh Public Theater, Microscopic Opera Company, The Warhol, The Playhouse REP, Conservatory and Junior Companies, Attack Theatre, Pennsylvania Dance Theatre, Pittsburgh Classical Theatre, Dreams of Hope, Gateway to the Arts, Renaissance City Women’s Choir, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Opera Theatre  of Pittsburgh and WQED FM. Please be sure to stick around at the end of the show, because Doug has given us a great treat. We’ll hear three of his songs, The Mother Age, Not That Kind of Lawyer, and Zoey and Jake. 

The noted screenwriter and teacher, Scott Myers, has written over thirty movie and TV projects at almost every major Hollywood studio and broadcast network. Scott’s screenwriting credits include K-9, Alaska, and Trojan War. Since 2008, Scott has hosted GoIntoTheStory.com, the official screenwriting blog of the Black List, which was named the Best of the Best Scriptwriting Website by Writer’s Digest Magazine. He’s also the author of the book, The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling.  Available April 2022.Scott is currently an assistant professor of screenwriting at DePaul University.

Charles Rosenay has been in the entertainment business for over four decades as an actor, promoter, music aficionado, entertainer, MC, DJ, humorist, and author.Most recently, he released the highly acclaimed book, Monsters, Celebrities, Actors, Athletes, and Rock Stars: The Book of Top 10 Horror Lists, which contains 100 top ten lists from pop-culture notables. Charles even include Steve Cuden’s Top 10 Horror list in his truly wonderful book.  Since 1978, Charles has produced Beatles Conventions and Festivals, and since 1983 he’s been the organizer and host of the “Magical History Tour” which brings Beatles fans to Liverpool and London. For over 20 years, Charles published and edited one of the world’s most famous Beatles/Sixties magazines, “Good Day Sunshine.” Charles has also promoted Monkees conventions since the early 80s. As an MC, Charles has shared the stage with countless entertainment figures, including Charles Grodin, Geraldo Rivera, and the late Danny Aiello. Charles was an on-air host on the QVC/H

The brilliant, Emmy Award-winning composers that comprise Dynamic Music Partners, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis and Kristopher Carter, constantly push the envelope of innovative collaboration in TV series, films, video games and live performance events. Emmys, Annies and an Academy Award have graced productions containing their music since the beginning of their careers. From New York’s Lincoln Center to The Hollywood Bowl and beyond, their live concert music has received critical acclaim. Stars of stage and screen, including Mark Hamill and Neil Patrick Harris, have performed songs written by this dynamic trio. From “Batman: The Animated Series” to “Young Justice,” “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble” and “Teen Titans,” they create signature musical worlds that iconically represent each.

The extraordinarily multi-talented Corky Hale is widely considered to be the most accomplished jazz harpist in the world—as well she’s an exceptional pianist and singer. Corky has performed at the White House with Tony Bennett, soloed with Barbra Streisand at the Hollywood Bowl and Central Park, with Bjork on her MTV special, and with George Michael at Royal Albert Hall.  And she’s played and/or recorded with no less than Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, June Christy, Anita O’Day, Roberta Flack, Melissa Manchester, Judy Collins, Mel Torme, Chet Baker, Joe Williams, Benny Carter, and numerous others.            Corky made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2007, as a pianist, with the New York Pops Orchestra and was among the stars at the 2011 Mary Lou Williams Festival at the Kennedy Center.Corky is the only woman to have played for Billie Holiday and she performs an annual Billie Holiday Birthday Concert at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.            For more about Corky, please be sure

Robert Miller is a musician who followed his youthful dream later in life and became a Rock Star when he was in his 60s, an age when most people are planning their retirement. He’s living proof that you’re never too old, and it’s never too late, to follow your dream.In just 5+ years Robert and his band, Project Grand Slam, have released 10 celebrated albums, including a Billboard #1, have had over 4 million video views, over 1 million Spotify streams, and gained more than 50,000 Facebook fans. He’s played festivals and concerts around the world and opened for Edgar Winter, Blues Traveler, Boney James, Mindi Abair, and an after-show for YES.In March 2021 Robert started the Follow Your Dream Podcast to inspire and motivate others to pursue and succeed at their dream – whatever it may be. Robert’s initial podcast guests have included “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, America’s most famous radio personality; Anton Fig, drummer on The David Letterman Show; Mort Crim, longtime Detroit television anchor; Robert Funaro, star o

The brilliant actor, singer, and director, Robert Cuccioli, is renowned for his critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated dual performance as the good Dr. Henry Jekyll and his sinister alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde, in Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical. Prior to his sensational run in Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway, Robert dazzled audiences across America in the show’s pre-Broadway, first national tour. Both the tour and Broadway featured Linda Eder and Christiane Noll. For Broadway, Robert received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and FANY Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. For the record: April 28, 2022, marks the 25th Anniversary of Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical opening at Broadway's Plymouth Theater (now called the Schoenfeld Theater).Robert’s other Broadway appearances include playing Javert in Les Miserables, and his high-flying performance in another dual role, Dr. Norman Osborn aka The Green Goblin in the rock musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Robert’s first big break was playing Lancelot oppo

You’re likely already a fan of the actor and bestselling author, Cary Elwes, who you surely know from his many starring roles in memorable, popular films, including: The Princess Bride, Lady Jane, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Saw, Kiss The Girls, The Cradle Will Rock, Justice League, and the Billionaire Boys Club among dozens of others. Currently, Cary is a co-lead alongside Michael Sheen and Natalie Emmanuel in The Last Train to Christmas. He’s slated to star alongside Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 7 and 8 for director Christopher McQuarrie. He’s starring opposite Jason Statham in Guy Ritchie’s next film, Five Eyes. He recently wrapped the Netflix feature A Castle for Christmas, as well as the The Unholy, which was produced by Sam Raimi, and the indie film Best Sellers opposite Michael Caine.You also know Cary from his numerous appearances on such popular TV shows including: Psych, Stranger Things, Family Guy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Art of More. He also produced and wrote

Melody Thomas Scott is best known for her Emmy-nominated work in the iconic role of Nikki Reed, aka Nikki Newman, a character she’s played for forty years and counting on America’s number-one daytime television drama The Young and the Restless. She’s also appeared in feature films with the likes of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, and worked with esteemed directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Don Siegel and Brian De Palma. Her new memoir “Always Young and Restless,” from Diversion Books, and written with one of OUR favorite StoryBeat guests, Dana L. Davis, is now widely available at fine booksellers everywhere. I’ve had the opportunity to read “Always Young and Restless,”  and I can tell you it’s wonderfully heartfelt and thoroughly entertaining. I highly recommend it.Melody is also known for her charitable efforts with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Television Cares and the Save the Earth Foundation. She lives with her husband, Producer Edward Scott, and beloved rescue terrier, Reilly, in Beverly Hills

The extraordinary actor-producer-writer and director, Bryan Cranston, is an Academy Award nominee, and the winner of the Emmy®, Golden Globe, SAG, Tony® and Olivier Awards.Bryan is best known for his portrayal of Walter White on AMC’s Breaking Bad and as Hal in Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle. In 2021, he was seen starring in the Showtime limited series, Your Honor, which he also executive produces.Recently, Bryan was in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, also on the big screen starring opposite Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman in The Upside, and streaming on Disney+ in The One and Only Ivan. Bryan made his Broadway debut as President Lyndon B. Johnson in All TheWay, winning the Tony Award for his efforts. He went on to produce the film adaption of the play through his production company, Moonshot Entertainment. And in 2019 he finished a Broadway run of Network based on the iconic film written by Paddy Chayefsky, for which he won his second Tony Award.Moonshot Entertainment has also developed three television series fo

StoryBeat is delighted to offer up this encore episode of the great actor-director Michael Dorn, who is best known for his longtime popular portrayal of Klingon Starfleet officer Lieutenant (later Lt. Commander) Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Michael has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other Star Trek actor in the franchise's nearly 55-year history, spanning some 272 TV episodes and 5 feature films. He also appeared as Worf's ancestor, Colonel Worf, in the film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. 

Theatrical producer, talent manager, and press agent, Alan Eichler, has represented or produced numerous stage productions, including: The Dirtiest Show in Town, Women Behind Bars, The Neon Woman, Timbuktu, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Dreamgirls.

The brilliant jazz guitarist, Adam Hawley, has had nine #1 hits. In 2015, Adam signed with Kalimba Music, which was founded by Maurice White of Earth, Wind, & Fire. His first offering on the Kalimba label featured Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Eric Darius and Michael Lington. And in 2016, Adam was named both Smooth Jazz News and JazzTrax Debut Artist of the Year.

Gary Flannery is a professional dancer, choreographer and director who’s toured the world as Shirley MacLaine’s performance partner. He’s been a Principal Dancer in Hollywood movies and on many TV Shows. He became Bob Fosse’s protégé after receiving scholarships in ballet at Juilliard and in George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet. Gary subsequently became Fosse’s lead dancer on Broadway in Pippin and Dancin’, and was Principal Dancer in Fosse’s brilliant movie, All That Jazz! 

Peter Jurasik has made hundreds of appearances on TV, playing a wide variety of characters in both comedies and dramas. Peter’s been a regular cast member in three television series and a recurring character on another seven series. However, audiences seem to remember him best for his regular performances on Hill Street Blues as Sid, their resident snitch, and later as alien ambassador, Londo Mollari on Babylon 5.  

Shannon Bradley-Colleary is a novelist and screenwriter who wrote the screenplay for the film To The Stars, which screened in the U.S. Dramatic Features category at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Kim Yutani, the festival’s Director of Programming said: “To The Stars tells a timeless, beautiful story of young women at a critical point in their lives.” 

Producer, director, and actor, Adam Weinstock, is the co-owner of Red Spear, LLC and President of Creative Concept Productions.  He’s also Chairman of the Board of Emerging Artists Theatre. 

Legendary Mime and Artist, Robert Shields, is a one-man creative machine who has spent his life sharing his sense of energy, awe, and wonder with people all over the world. After meeting Lorene Yarnell, they formed the much lauded mime duo of Shields and Yarnell. Together, they played stages worldwide and appeared in various film productions and on over 400 national TV shows.