On this week’s Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with multi-talented writer, actor, and composer Keith Varney, whose new one-man play Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic is premiered at the United Solo Theatre Festival. Through humor, honesty, and deeply personal storytelling, Keith retraces ten overlooked moments from his life that suddenly snap into focus through the lens of a late-in-life autism diagnosis. Together, Tom and Keith explore the emotional clarity that comes with understanding one’s neurodivergence, the years of masking that preceded it, and the liberating process of transforming private realizations into bold, public art.

The conversation also takes a detour into Keith’s joyful geek side — including his comedic role-playing podcast Wisdom of One, a spoof of Dungeons & Dragons.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with three of the creative minds behind one of Off-Broadway’s most talked-about new musicals — Vape! The Grease Parody. Joining the conversation are writer Catie Hogan, director Jack Plotnick, and lyricist and additional book writer Danny Salles, who share the story of how this high-energy spoof of Grease battled legal hurdles, embraced satire, and found its way to the New York stage. With humor as sharp as its social commentary and a heart as big as its laughs, Vape! reimagines the beloved classic for a TikTok generation — one vape cloud at a time.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela welcomes writer and director Mimi McGurl, actor Jess Beveridge, and musician Douglas Rogers, the creative team behind Lucy Joseph—the acclaimed original performance from Farm Arts Collective, returning by popular demand after a sold-out summer run. The piece tells the story of Lucy Ann Joseph Israel Lobdell, a 19th-century gender non-conforming pioneer whose remarkable life speaks directly to today’s ongoing conversations about identity and self-expression.

Listeners will also be treated to original live music by Douglas Rogers, including a moving rendition of Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times.” Together, Mimi, Jess, and Douglas share insights into their creative process, the historical inspiration behind the work, and the emotional power of blending music, movement, and storytelling to bring Lucy’s story to life. Lucy Joseph is both a theatrical triumph and a timely reflection on courage, authenticity, and the human spirit.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela welcomes back his longtime friend and celebrated theatre artist Gabriel Barre, whose latest directorial project, the brand-new Off-Broadway musical REUNIONS, opens at City Center Stage II on November the 2nd.  

Tom and Gabe also look back on an extraordinary career that has taken Gabe from Barnum, to Starmites, Forever Plaid, Amazing Grace, The Wild Party, and beyond. Join them for stories, laughter, and a celebration of artistry, collaboration, and lifelong creative connections.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom spotlights a dynamic duo whose love story began center stage. Opera soprano and arts consultant Rebekah Diaz and celebrated baritone Graham Fandrei first met performing in La Bohème and went on to tour South Florida with concerts that blended classical and musical theatre favorites. Together they founded Magic City Opera, a company built on the belief that opera should be vibrant, social, and accessible to all—pairing short, experiential performances with community connection and conversation.

Step into a world of intrigue, laughter, and theatrical suspense as host Tom Candela sits down with Frank Marquette, the creative mind behind Murder Café and Theatre on the Road. What began as one actor’s leap of faith into the world of dinner theatre has become a 27-year journey filled with family, creativity, and countless unforgettable performances. 

Hear all about Frank's incredible evolution — from his humble beginnings to his newly published memoir, The True Story of Murder Café. 

This week on Curtain Call, Tom sits down with veteran actor, playwright, and director Austin Pendleton, along with Bradford Cover, Artistic Director of The Resident Acting Company (RAC), to explore their imaginative new production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In this inventive staging, RAC’s ensemble of seasoned actors turns Shakespeare’s classic upside down — reimagining the play through the eyes of the “rude mechanicals,” the bumbling amateur players whose theatrical mishaps take center stage.  Together, Pendleton and Cover reflect on the founding of The Resident Acting Company and how their shared mission to create ensemble-based, actor-driven theatre has led to this bold new production.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom sits down with Arthur Aulisi of River Rep Theatre for an in-depth conversation about the company’s exciting season. From the dazzling, over-the-top magic of The NeverEnding Story — praised by critic Jonathan Charles Fox as “an extremely ambitious magical treat not to be missed” — to the thoughtful programming of River Rep Junior, Arthur shares how River Rep is building a legacy of imaginative, community-driven theatre. Together, they explore the artistry behind ambitious productions, the joy of nurturing young talent, and the balance of honoring tradition while pushing creative boundaries.

The conversation also looks ahead to River Rep’s newest production: Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. 

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with acclaimed actress Elizabeth Marvel (House of Cards, Homeland, The Dropout) and director Mark Wing-Davey to discuss the powerful new Off-Broadway production of Tim Blake Nelson’s And Then We Were No More. Recently named by The New York Times as one of the “13 New Plays to See,” the show confronts issues of politics, inequity, and the fragility of democracy — themes that feel especially urgent in today’s divided world.

In this conversation, Marvel and Wing-Davey share their insights on the play’s bold message, the casting of both seasoned performers and actors making their Off-Broadway debut, and how Stop the Wind Theatricals’ innovative producing model brought this project to life. 

This week Curtain Call, celebrates the artistry and enduring legacy of two Broadway icons — Stephen Sondheim and Al Hirschfeld. Joining Tom is David Leopold, Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and author of the new book Hirschfeld’s Sondheim, a stunning collection of more than 50 drawings capturing the magic of Sondheim’s musicals from West Side Story to Sweeney Todd and beyond. Leopold shares stories from his decades-long work with Hirschfeld, insights into the upcoming exhibition at the Algonquin Hotel (on display through September 20th), and reflections on how these two artists influenced generations of theatre lovers.

And that’s not all! At the end of the show, don’t miss a brand-new segment of The Roving Thespian, where Tom visits the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s Plays in Development Series. Tom spoke with director/playwright/actor Pete Nastasi about one of his works in development, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the future of local theatre. It’s a show packed with art, music, and stories from the stage — a must-listen for theatre fans!

This week on Curtain Call, Tom sits down with comedian, writer, and actress Chanel Ali, who makes her Off-Broadway debut with her powerful and hilarious one-woman show Relative Stranger.

Chanel’s comedy has taken her from MTV’s Girl Code to Netflix’s Dash & Lily, Comedy Central’s Taking the Stage, and the international spotlight of the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Named one of Deadline’s 15 Comedians to Watch in 2025, she now brings her boldest and most personal work to New York audiences. 

Step aboard for this special episode of Curtain Call, where Tom speaks with two of the beloved stars from The Love Boat.  Ted Lange, celebrated actor, playwright, and director, shares the story behind his powerful play Lady Patriot, a work that uncovers hidden voices and overlooked figures in America’s past, and Jill Whelan, one of the featured performers in Lady Patriot, whose career spans Broadway, television, film, and concert stages.

Together, Ted and Jill reflect on the impact of history told through theatre, their long-lasting friendship, and the lessons art can teach us about resilience, truth, and courage.  Tune in and experience the heart, humor, and inspiration that only true storytellers can bring.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom sits down with acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Douglas Carter Beane for an in-depth conversation about his latest work, Finding Dorothy Parker. Known for his razor-sharp wit and clever storytelling, Beane has dazzled Broadway audiences with hits like Xanadu, Sister Act, and The Little Dog Laughed.

Beane also reflects on his own celebrated career, offering insights into the craft of writing for the theatre.  It’s a smart, funny, and heartfelt conversation that celebrates both Parker’s biting brilliance and Beane’s artistry in keeping her spirit alive for a new generation.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom Candela sits down with Ellie J—known onstage as Clown Daddy—for a spirited dive into clowning as a true art form. From physicality and comic timing to vulnerability and catharsis, Ellie shares how laughter becomes a doorway to something deeper. We talk persona vs. performer, her solo spin on Shakespeare, and the next chapter as she prepares for a West Coast move.

Plus, in The Roving Thespian, Tom heads to Narrowsburg, NY, for Catskill Public Theatre’s Woodstock Ripples.

On this episode of Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with Conio Loretto of The Center for Discovery to explore how inclusive theatre empowers creativity, communication, and confidence for students with complex developmental and medical needs. From the Integrated Arts Department’s “Right to Move” philosophy to the launch of the new Performing Arts Academy, Tom and Conio dig into how music, dance, and drama become tools for learning—and for building community.

The episode also features two live highlights from The Center for Discovery’s acclaimed production of CATS: “Mr. Mistoffelees” performed by student Paul, and “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” performed by student AJ. These performances showcase the artistry, heart, and collaboration that make this program—and its performers—shine.

In this powerful episode of Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with actor, playwright and teaching artist Richard Hoehler to explore the transformative power of theatre—both onstage and behind bars. Richard shares stories from his 14 years leading acting workshops in prison, the creation of Acting Out, a professional theatre company for the formerly incarcerated, and his book, Acting Out: How a Prison Theatre Workshop Broke Free. 

Plus, in this week’s Roving Thespian segment, Tom speaks with audience members after a performance of Renegade, a gripping interactive courtroom drama presented by Catskill Public Theater. 

This week on Curtain Call, we step into the intimate and poetic world of Lili/Darwin — a new solo performance written and performed by Darwin Del Fabro and directed by Meghan Finn. Premiering at The Tank in New York City as part of LimeFest, the piece weaves together the lives of 20th-century transgender pioneer Lili Elbe and Darwin herself, a Brazilian artist returning to the stage for the first time since her own gender transition. Through projection, voice, and lyrical storytelling, Lili/Darwin explores identity, memory, and the courageous act of becoming.

Tom speaks with Darwin and Meghan about the evolution of this deeply personal work, the emotional and artistic process behind its creation, and the responsibility of honoring a legacy while forging a new one. It’s a conversation about empathy, transformation, and the power of theatre to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.

This week on Curtain Call, we shine the spotlight on Jonathan Charles Fox—actor, journalist, photographer, radio personality, and one of the Catskills’ most passionate advocates for the arts. From his early days on stage and screen to his beloved column In My Humble Opinion and his adventures on Thunder 102 with sidekick Gidget, Jonathan has spent a lifetime telling stories and uplifting others. In this heartfelt conversation, he shares behind-the-scenes tales, his love for theatre, and the quiet joy he finds in capturing life through a lens. It’s a rare chance to hear from the man who’s usually the one telling everyone else’s story.

On this episode of Curtain Call, we shine the spotlight on Greenwood Lake Theater, an Equity professional company in Orange County, NY, co-founded by Katherine Weatherford and Mary McKinley. From Shakespeare in the park to bold new musicals and dynamic training programs, the company is redefining what regional theatre can be.  We talk about their journey from NYC to the Hudson Valley, their upcoming production of Nevermore, their vibrant New Works Festival, and the unique role of music direction in shaping their shows.

Plus, in our Roving Thespian segment, we take you to the Forestburgh Playhouse’s hilarious season opener Boeing, Boeing—with a sneak peek at their next production, The Full Monty.

On this episode of Curtain Call, we journey into the heart of artistic experimentation with Brad Krumholz, co-founder and Executive Artistic Director of the North American Cultural Laboratory (NACL). From mythic storytelling and immersive rituals to cutting-edge residencies like The Outrage and digital explorations of the Orpheus myth, NACL is a creative force reshaping the boundaries of performance. We explore their mission, values, groundbreaking programming, and the vibrant community they foster in the Catskills. Plus, in our Roving Thespian segment, we take a peak behind the curtain as audience members share their comments on River Rep Theatre’s magical production of The NeverEnding Story.