Little Known Facts With Ilana Levine

Jordan Roth, the Tony Award winning President of Jujamcyn Theaters, is responsible for bringing "Spring Awakening," "Clybourne Park," "Kinky Boots," "Springsteen on Broadway," "Falsettos," "Mean Girls," "Frozen," "Angels In America" and many other hits to Broadway. The youngest president ever of a theater dynasty, Jordan has quickly become one of the most respected producers in the American theater. On this episode of "Little Known Facts" Jordan talks with Ilana about his desire to bring theater to Broadway that inspires and changes lives; indeed, Jordan's gift for bringing together other creatives and cultivating talent has allowed him to bring some of the most powerful game changing plays to the Broadway stage. Jordan shares intimate details about his childhood and what led him to a career focused on  creativity and community. Jordan is a tireless activist for political causes that support people in need from all walks of life -- often working with organizations that support the LGBTQI community. This is a

In Part 2 of their conversation, Tony Award winner Donna Murphy shares with Ilana personal stories of how she began her career. She recalls hilarious details of being cast early on -- even when the odds were against her. And she talks about how she prepared with great precision for her audition for the role of "Fosca" in Sondheim's Passion -- a rolethat secured her place as a Broadway legend. She explains how Sondheim and Lapine work together and describes their collaboration as "shared poetry."  With great sensitivity and rawness, Donna discusses how she now negotiates life and work after the death of her beloved husband and partner, Shawn Elliott.  And ... she sings on the podcast!!! Donna Murphy’s award-winning performances in theater, film and television have forged a career of exceptional diversity, impressing both audiences and critics with her depth and skill. This “seductive actress of major transformative powers” (NY Times) was named by New York Magazine as one of “Three Living Legends” of the New Yo

Donna Murphy is a two-time Tony Award winning American musical theater treasure. Donna's singular voice, her comedic skills, her dancing and the authenticity and humanity she brings to every role that she plays has made her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. From Fosca in Sondheim’s "Passion" to her current role of Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!," Donna brings the audience to its feet every night. In part one of this two part episode, Donna discusses her childhood and what it was like growing up as the eldest of seven children. She shares with Ilana the discovery of her musical gifts at the age of three! And she talks of her process and the discipline needed to find every role. Donna also reveals her deep belief that she was brought into this world to perform. Welcome Donna Murphy! Donna Murphy’s award-winning performances in theater, film and television have forged a career of exceptional diversity, impressing both audiences and critics with her depth and skill. This “seductive actress of maj

Will Roland currently stars as "Jared Kleinman" in the Tony Award winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen." Will had previously co-starred with Ben Platt in the promising musical "The Black Suits," so when they reunited for DEH the two already had much of the needed dynamics in place to create their indelible performances. On this episode of "Little Known Facts," Will shares what it has been like to live inside the meteoric rise of "Dear Evan Hansen," candidly discussing the great joys as well as the invasion of privacy that has come with this gig. Will also discusses how he grew up helping out in his family's antique business, acquiring tremendous knowledge of fine art and estate furniture. (He also demonstrates for Ilana his mad skills as an auctioneer! Will helped raise thousands of dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids by auctioning off the plaster cast Ben Platt wears in the show to the highest bidder.) Will studied musical theater at New York University and is an accomplished lighting designer. He per

Laura Heywood (a.k.a. @BroadwayGirlNYC ) was an anonymous Broadway influencer with a huge social media following until she decided to reveal her true identity. A passionate enthusiast for all things Broadway, Laura used her expertise in brand identity to create a niche for herself as an influencer in the theater world and beyond. An early user of Twitter, Laura has always made the most of her platform and huge social media following by highlighting many wonderful not-for-profit organizations, including her beloved "Story Pirates." And in this truly inspirational episode, Laura opens up to Ilana about a darker time in her life and how she got through it -- and what she continues to do to keep a healthy mental attitude. Whether you know her as "Broadway Girl NYC" or simply Laura, you won't want to miss her on the next "Little Known Facts!" Laura Heywood is a professional enthusiast: a multi-faceted host, consultant, performer, pundit, and writer widely recognized for her commitment to positivity. Her formerly a

Cazzie David, daughter of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator Larry David, was followed by TMZ the day she moved into her college dorm.  Any hopes for an anonymous matriculation were blown immediately -- and most of the students Cazzie encountered on campus weren't quite sure how to interact with the child of a major Hollywood star.  The one person who didn't seem to be nonplussed by it all was Elisa Kalani. In her refreshingly straight forward manner, Elisa acknowledged how wonderful -- and strange -- it was to have Cazzie at the school. The two freshmen became fast friends and have remained the best of friends ever since those first surreal days. Cazzie and Elisa, co-creators of the critically acclaimed web series "Eighty-Sixed," chat with Ilana about their work and what it means to be "millennials."  Elisa and Cazzie describe their relationship to technology as second nature -- but as millennials they are actually on the cusp; they lived a life before having all of these technological advances a

Bill Camp, the Emmy and Tony nominated actor, has had an illustrious career on stage and in film for over three decades. His most recent turn as "Dennis Box" in HBO's highly acclaimed limited series "The Night Of " earned him an Emmy nomination for his compelling portrayal of an NYPD Detective in pursuit of the truth.  Camp brought tremendous pathos and dimension to the role -- as he does to every role he plays. Beloved by some of the most accomplished  directors of our time including Mike Nichols and Stephen Spielberg, Camp has become one of the most sought after actors working today. On this episode, Bill opens up to Ilana about his years of "deviant" behavior and how he weathered the storm. He also shares intimate and hilarious details of his courtship and ultimate marriage to actress, Elizabeth Marvel.   Bill is best known for his Emmy Award nominated performance (Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series) in HBO's critically acclaimed limited series "The Night Of," starring alongside John Turturro and Ri

Gillian Pensavalle is the host of "The Hamilcast" podcast. Gillian started the podcast at the beginning of 2016 because of her love, passion and obsession with all things "Hamilton, An American Musical." Each week Gillian has conversations with members of the Hamilton community, theater luminaries, friends and Hamilton fans about all things ... Hamilton. Slowly Gillian's audience has grown and grown -- and it is now regarded as the "official" podcast of Hamilton by its cast members. In the summer of 2017, Lin Manuel Miranda recognized Gillian on twitter with his signature "I see you @TheHamilcast" and a conversation began -- a conversation that has culminated in a four hour dialogue between Lin and Gillian that has become known as #Lintoberfest on "The Hamilcast" podcast. Find out how it all evolved and unfolded on this exciting new episode of "Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine." A born and raised New Yorker, Gillian Pensavalle is a karaoke enthusiast who says hello to dogs on the street, but always asks p

Allison Janney, a seven-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, had dreams of becoming an Olympic figure skater. That dream ended when, at age 17, she ran through a sliding glass window. The injury was serious, and, suddenly Allison's future goals shifted. She found herself at Kenyon College and she became a theater major. While at Kenyon Allison was discovered by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward who had come to the college to direct a play at their alma mater. They encouraged Janney to go to NYC and pursue a career in acting professionally. What happened after that is the subject of this funny and intimate conversation with host Ilana Levine, a dear friend of Allison's. The two met and became fast friends when Ilana was starring in the HBO series "Tanner 88" with a mutual friend. Allison walks us through her audition for "The West Wing" and opens up about why the recent loss of her brother makes starring on the CBS hit show "Mom" all the more important for her during this emotional time. The incredibly versatile Al

Celia Keenan-Bolger, a native of Detroit, Michigan, has made a very impressive mark in the Broadway community. A Tony nominee beloved for her talent, kindness and political activism, Celia has moved effortlessly between musicals and straight plays. She burst onto the scene with her role in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."  Shortly thereafter she captivated audiences as Laura in "The Glass Menagerie," showed her comedic genius in "Peter and the Starcatcher," and moved us to tears when she starred in "Les Miserables" (a childhood dream). In this intimate episode Celia discusses how she handles the highs and lows that inevitably come along with a life in the theater.  Married to actor John Ellison Conlee, Celia shares what it's like for two actors in a marriage and she opens up about the joys and surprises of parenthood.  Celia also touches on her early years -- including her time with Sutton Foster in the children's theatrical troupe "The Peter Pan Players."  Listeners will feel closer to -- and mo

Julianne Moore, the Academy Award winning actress, spends time with Ilana talking about her nomad childhood in a military family, her early years in NYC waitressing, and her first break -- being cast  on a soap opera playing twins. In the 90's as the indie film world took off so did her career and she talks in depth about the roles she chooses and how she approaches them. A star who has appeared in over 70 films Julie, as she is known to friends, has remained grounded because of her devotion to her husband and children. Raising her family in New York City has been a way to remain connected to a life of normalcy although her marriage to director Bart Freundlich, has made filmmaking a family business. Julianne and Bart met while making his film "The Myth of Fingerprints" together and it's a love story that Julianne tells in great detail on the podcast. Over the course of an hour Ilana and Julianne talk about the films that made Julianne famous, the pressure on actresses to look a certain way, the paparazzi and

Brian d'Arcy James (award winning actor) originated the role of King George in "Hamilton," The Broadway musical. He has starred in over 14 Broadway shows and just as many film and tv shows. Among them, the Academy Award winning film "Spotlight," "13 Reasons Why," "Smash," "Unabomber," "Ghost Town," and many more upcoming projects. In this candid conversation, Brian shares with Ilana the tough choice he had to make when the opportunity to star on Broadway in "Something Rotten" was presented at the same time "Hamilton" was going into rehearsal for it's Public Theater run. This and other stories about his life in the theater make for one of the most compelling and hilarious episodes of "Little Known Facts." Brian dʼArcy James is an award-winning theater, film, and television actor as well as a recording artist. Hailed recently as “one of the most celebrated actors of his generation in both straight plays and musicals” (Jeremy Gerard, Deadline), Brian is a three-time Tony nominee, and an Obie and Drama Desk Award

Brendan McDonald is the co-creator and executive producer of "WTF" with Marc Maron. He is an Emmy-winning producer and veteran of television, radio and digital media. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son. Brendan McDonald, Emmy Award winner and co-creator/producer of "WTF" with Marc Maron, discusses the evolution of their ground-breaking podcast and how they made history when President Obama came on the show. Brendan grew up in a family devoted to the arts and the seeds were planted at an early age to appreciate and create art with integrity. His own performance background and his encyclopedic knowledge and obsession with "Saturday Night Live" all played a part in his becoming the co creator of "WTF." He met Marc Maron in the early days of Air America when they were hired to create a live radio show together and it was clear to Brendan that Marc was the next Howard Stern. As a kid, Brendan performed in school plays but he understood early on what it would take to chase a career as a performer. So he set

At 23, actor Ben Platt won the Tony Award for the physically and emotionally demanding role of Evan Hansen in the Tony Award winning musical, "Dear Evan Hansen." Platt has said in order to take on such a demanding role he lives a monkish existence. As long as he is performing the role everything he does on stage and off is in service of the play. He has changed his diet, works carefully with a vocal coach, physical therapist and even endures the ancient form of alternative medicine known as "cupping." In this intimate conversation with Ilana Levine, host of Little Known Facts, he describes his childhood, his lifelong passion for musical theater, his love of Judaism, family, sexuality, what he learned from Meryl Streep about acting and more never heard before details about this uniquely gifted rising star. BEN PLATT originated the title role in "Dear Evan Hansen" to critical acclaim (Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League nominations) and won the 2017 Tony Award for his Broadway performance. Platt w

Jen Rudin, author of “Confessions of a Casting Director,” offers listeners a unique behind the scenes experience of the casting process. A child actress herself, Jen shares tips and stories for both the seasoned actor and young professionals, on how to best navigate the often harrowing and unruly process of auditions. In this funny, candid and insightful interview, Jen explains the process of auditions from the perspective of the casting director. Learn why going in and doing the best you can is always better than not taking advantage of every opportunity. Even when the call comes in the night before... Jen Rudin is an award-winning casting director who began her thirty-year career in show business as a child actor at age eight. As a casting executive at the Walt Disney Company, Jen conducted extensive talent searches all over the United States, identifying and hiring actors who went on to star on Broadway in "The Lion King," "Mary Poppins" and "The Little Mermaid" and in beloved Disney movies like "The Incre

Jerry Mitchell, Tony Award winning director and choreographer, is a living legend! He is the creator of Broadway Bares, a burlesque show that has raised millions of dollars for Broadway Cares -- an organization devoted to supporting people living with HIV. His midwestern upbringing and his talent uncovered at a young age are all part of his unique and inspiring success story. JERRY MITCHELL (Director/Choreographer) is currently represented on Broadway as the Director of the Gloria Estefan bio-musical, On Your Feet, having previously received TONY Awards in recognition of his choreography for the 2013 TONY-Award winning Best Musical, Kinky Boots, for which he was also nominated as Director and the 2005 revival of La Cage Aux Folles. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his choreography in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which he also directed and co-produced in the West End. In the 35 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with over 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End and touring productions, starting as a da

Nikka Graff Lanzarone comes from a long line of  Broadway performers and Tony Award winners. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she spent her youth figuring out how to get to New York City. Nikka was always clear from a young age that she needed to live where there was a Broadway and to Broadway she arrived. Cast in the Pedro Almodovar musical, "Women on the Verge," Nikka quickly became a beloved member of the Broadway community and her one woman show, "Hero Worship," made her an immediate darling of the Cabaret world. She and Mo Brady co-host "The Ensemblist," a Broadway podcast that shines a light on all the people who make a Broadway show happen, both on stage and off. Nikka Graff Lanzarone is a New York City-based performer, writer, podcaster, cat lady, lover of the Internet, wife, and nerd. She’s appeared on Broadway in Chicago (Velma Kelly)andWomen on the Verge… (Marisa) and Off-Broadway in Sweet Charity (Ursula, New Group) Hello Again (The Whore, Transport Group), Zorba (Encores!), and Seussical (Lucille

Alex Gansa, creator of "Homeland," takes us on a behind the scenes journey of his career as an award winning writer in Hollywood. He and Co-creator Howard Gordon, began their professional lives in out west as Test Prep instructors for the children of Hollywood elite. From there they went on to write for television. Hear how these two young upstarts  went from wide eyed hopefuls to being two of the most successful writers and show runners working today. Gansa shares deep personal stories of his struggles and successes and if you love "Homeland" you will learn about how the show came together, casting stories and never before heard anecdotes from the set of the Showtime award winning series. Alex Gansa is the showrunner, co-creator and executive producer of Showtime’s thriller HOMELAND, starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin. HOMELAND premiered in October 2011 to critical acclaim and the highest debut ratings for a freshman drama on the network. HOMELAND won the 2012 and 2013 Golden Globe for Best Television

Gus Birney, the youngest actress to date on the podcast, gained her reputation as the new "it girl" with her starring role in the prestige cable drama, "The Mist." At 17 she has already walked the runway for Kanye West during fashion week and co-starred with Marisa Tomei in the critically acclaimed production of "The Rose Tattoo." The daughter of Tony award winning actor Reed Birney and OITNB star Constance Schulman, she shares with great candor the day to day life of growing up in a household with actors who sometimes worked and sometimes didn't, why high school wasn't a great fit for her, and how a 3a.m. trip to a downtown NYC salon is normal in the world of modeling. Gus shares her struggles with the constant reality of being the youngest person in an ensemble and also shares how she negotiates her creative desires with the downtime that actors face and the trauma and hilarity of self taping with her mother -- all of which make for a hilarious and poignant interview with this remarkable young talent who is

Ryan Raddon known as Kaskade to his millions of fans is a world renown Electronic Dance Music DJ and chart topping artist. In this episode of "Little Known Facts" he sits down with Ilana and discusses his life as a trailblazer in the house music world and describes the choices he has to make in order to balance his life as a family man and a devout Mormon and his life on the road ten months out of the year. From growing up in his close knit family in Chicago, the birthplace of House Music, to his international fame as one of the most successful DJ's in music history - this is a one of a kind  conversation where Ryan reveals things about himself he has not discussed in previous interviews. Multi GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer and remixer Kaskade is a titan in the dance music world, and a groundbreaking innovator in the music industry as a whole. Bending the curve by which his contemporaries measure themselves, Kaskade has an unprecedented string of “firsts”. He was the first DJ to land a L