When Lightning Strikes!
Arts
About
Broadway’s top talents reveal their lightning bolt moments that set them on the course of their dreams. When Lightning Strikes! Is hosted by Forbes.com and Parade.com contributor Jeryl Brunner. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” - Mark Twain We’ve all had it. Eureka! Your proverbial lightbulb goes off. The heavens open. The seas part. That wondrous, heart thumping, tingly, glorious mic drop moment when you realized what you were meant to do. No matter what it took. Lightning has struck! And from then on nothing is ever, ever the same. Host Jeryl Brunner presents candid, sometimes soul-baring, often funny chats with actors, writers, producers, directors and creatives as they lay down their THIS IS IT! discoveries about why they do what they do and what led them into theater. Learn more about Jeryl at @jeryl_brunner or www.jerylbrunner.com." When Lightning Strikes" theme song by Tom McGovern. Producer and talent booker: An
Episodes
- #99 - Sam Tutty
Sam Tutty stars with Christiani Pitts in the hit Broadway musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) . This romantic comedy was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor for Sam, who makes his…
- #98 - Geraldine Hughes
Geraldine Hughes currently stars opposite Matthew Broderick and Max Baker in David Ireland's play Ulster American at Irish Repertory Theatre. Her theater credits include H arry Potter and the Cursed Child, Jerusalem, Cyrano de Bergerac, Mo…
- #97 - Maria-Christina Oliveras
Maria-Christina Oliveras is currently starring on Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club’s The Balusters at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. A versatile performer and Drama Desk nominee, her theater credits include Between Riverside and Crazy,…
- #96 - Zora Howard
Zora Howard is a playwright, performer, and director whose work has established her as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary theater. Her plays include Stew, (a Pulitzer Prize finalist), Hang Time, Bust, The Masters' Tools, You…
- #95 - Hannah Cruz
Hannah Cruz currently stars opposite Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher in Chess on Broadway, directed by Michael Mayer. Her other credits include her Broadway debut in Suffs , standout roles in Only Gold and The Connector,…
- #94 - Nicole Travolta
Nicole Travolta is an actor and writer whose TV credits include recurring roles on Anger Management , Two and a Half Men , and, The Middle. She wrote and stars in her solo show Nicole Travolta Is Doing Alright , where she shares her Hollyw…
- #93 - Rebecca De Mornay
Rebecca De Mornay stars in John Patrick Shanley's play The Pushover at The Chain Theatre . The play is directed by Kirk Gostkowski and also stars Di Zhu, Christina Toth, and Christopher Sutton. De Mornay first gained widespread recognition…
- #92 - Irene Sofia Lucio
Irene Sofía Lucio recently starred on Broadway in Bess Wohl's play Liberation , directed by Whitney White. After a successful run Off-Broadway, Lucio reprised her acclaimed role as Isadora—an Italian immigrant navigating identity, love, an…
- #91 - Carey Renee Sharpe
Carey Renee Sharpe stars in Blood/Love , a vampire pop opera she also wrote. Now playing Off-Broadway at Theater 555, Blood/Love was co-written by Dru DeCaro, features choreography by Natalie Malotke, and Dancing with the Stars pros Jonath…
- #90 - Mona Mansour and Emily Zemba
Prolific playwrights Mona Mansour and Emily Zemba recently debuted Entangled: 12 Scenes in a Circle K off the I-40 in New Mexico . The play, which was directed by Scott Ilingworth, premiered at HERE Arts Center and is presented by SOCIETY…
- #89 - Kit Buchan and Jim Barne, writers of Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
Kit Buchan and Jim Barne wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the New York Times Critic’s Pick musical T wo Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) , currently running on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre. The longtime collaborators are k…
- #88 - The Monsters cast and creative team
Writer/director Ngozi Anyanwu says that her play The Monsters is “a love letter to strong bodies, soft hearts.” Now playing at Manhattan Theatre Club, this intimate production is also a riveting sibling love story about what it takes to re…
- #87 - Andréa Burns
Andréa Burns is a beloved Broadway star whose many credits include In the Heights, The Notebook, On Your Feet!, Dear World, The Light in the Piazza, Songs for a New World , West Side Story , and more. She is currently starring as Diane in…
- #86 - Heather Christie
Heather Christie created and hosts LoveNotes! The storytelling event also inspired Heather's popular book of the same name. LoveNotes! mines all kinds of love stories, including first love, last love and all the messy love in-between. This…
- #85 - Linus Karp and Joseph Martin
Linus Karp and Joseph Martin are actors, writers, and theater makers. They created Awkward Productions to bring ridiculous genre-mixing comedy, niche pop culture references, audience participation, and queer joy to the stage. Their shows i…
- #84 - Samuel D. Hunter
Samuel D. Hunter is a playwright and screenwriter whose work includes the critically acclaimed play The Whale and its Oscar-winning film adaptation. This past fall he made his West End debut with Clarkston, and he is currently making his B…
- #83 - Crystal Skillman
Crystal Skillman is an award-winning dramatist. Her play Open , which was awarded a New York Times Critics’ Pick, has been running Off-Broadway at WP Theater through July. Her next play, The Rocket Men , is about to receive a National New…
- #82 - Jak Malone
Jak Malone co-stars in the hit new musical, Operation Mincemeat , which is nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical and a nomination for Jak. He also received Oliver, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his show-st…
- #81 - Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg wrote, directed and co-stars in A Real Pain . In the film two mismatched cousins embark on a Holocaust tour through Poland to understand the history of their late grandmother who is a Holocaust survivor. It's a beautiful, h…
- #80 - Susan Jaffe
Susan Jaffe is the artistic director of American Ballet Theater. Called “America’s quintessential American ballerina," and “born to dance,” by the New York Times , Susan was a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. She performed on s…
- #79 - Jenny Lyn Bader
Jenny Lyn Bader is a prolific playwright whose stage plays include None of the Above, Equally Divine: The Real Story of the Mona Lisa, In Flight , and The Whole Megillah . She also wrote the audio works Tree Confessions and Communal Table…
- #78 - Daniel Roy
Daniel Roy is a magician and mentalist who has headlined at the Hollywood Magic Castle , appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and performed throughout the country. In his latest show, T he Parlour of Deceptions , he intertwines sleight-of-ha…
- #77 - Shanda Sawyer
Shanda Sawyer is a prolific director, choreographer and executive producer. She has directed shows for Marvel, FOX, ABC, Disney, and Comedy Central. Her work has garnered many awards, including two Emmys, a Gracie and a Peabody. Most recen…
- #76 - Rachel Routh and Andrew Lippa
The Dramatists Guild Foundation or DGF is a nonprofit devoted to American theater. For more than six decades they have supported writers at all stages of their careers. DGF offers grants, free spaces to create new works and emergency aid f…
- #75 - April Ortiz
April Ortiz is a prolific actress who has performed on Broadway, off Broadway in film and television. She currently stars in the musical Empire at New World Stages. Just a few of April’s other credits include In the Heights, Cats, Between…
- #74 - Matthew August Jeffers
Matthew August Jeffers currently stars in An Enemy of the People now playing at Circle In the Square Theatre. A prolific actor, some of his other credits include Richard III at the Delacorte Theater, the film Unidentified Objects and the T…
- #73 - Bobby Conte
Bobby Conte currently plays Cousin Kevin in The Who’s Tommy on Broadway. Some of his other theater credits include Company, A Bronx Tale, My Fair Lady, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Starting Here, Starting Now and A Comed…
- #72 - Lee Sunday Evans
A two-time Obie Award-winning director and choreographer, Lee Sunday Evans is the Artistic Director of Waterwell. She recently directed The Poisoner , currently playing at La MaMa. Some of Lee's other credits include Oratorio for Living Th…
- #71 - Brian d'Arcy James
In this episode When Lightning Strikes! goes on location to the theater at Studio 54. Jeryl Brunner talks to Brian d’Arcy James who currently stars in Days of Wine and Roses with Kelli O'Hara. Adapted from the 1962 film and original 1958 t…
- #70 - Patrick Page
A Broadway and off-Broadway veteran who has starred in dozens of productions, Patrick Page is currently performing in the hit play All the Devils Are Here at the DR2 Theatre. Directed by Simon Godwin, this riveting show explores Shakespear…
- #69 - Sheryl Kaller and Sean Daniels
Sean Daniels and Sheryl Kaller are some of the forces behind The White Chip , the hit autobiographical comedy currently playing at MCC Theater . Daniels, who wrote the White Chip, is a prolific theatermaker who leads The Recovery Project f…
- #68 - Warren Carlyle
Warren Carlyle is a Tony winning and Emmy nominated Director and Choreographer. Most recently he directed and choreographed the musical Harmony, now playing on Broadway. Just a few of his other credits include After Midnight, Chaplin, Hugh…
- #67 - Marty LaSalle
Marty LaSalle is the CEO of the Big Apple Circus . Their latest show, Journey to the Rainbow , created in collaboration with Circus-Theater Roncalli, is now playing at Lincoln Center through January 1. This episode was recorded on November…
- #66 - Zalmen Mlotek & Avram Mlotek
Zalmen Mlotek is the Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene. He and his son, Avram Mlotek are the forces behind Amid Falling Walls: Unveiling Resilience and Hope During the Holocaust . Arranged by Zalmen with a libret…
- #65 - Sade Lythcott
Sade Lythcott is a Tony and Emmy-nominated producer and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Black Theatre. Founded in 1968, by her mother Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, National Black Theatre is the nation’s first revenue-generating Black a…
- #64 - Leigh Silverman
A prolific director on Broadway and off, some of Leigh Silverman's credits include Violet, Grand Horizons, The Lifespan of a Fact, Chinglish, Well, SUFFS, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Soft Power, Sandra, Hurric…
- #63 - Alex Michaels
Fresh off of their appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars Season 8 , Alex Michaels, also known as Alexis Michelle, has had a hit cabaret show at Joe’s Pub and appeared at Disney’s Gay Days in Anaheim . An accomplished theater performer…
- #62 - Andrea Syglowski
Andrea Syglowski is a riveting actress who has thrived on stage in film and TV. Just a few of Andrea's credits include Pass Over, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven, Queens. Lost in Yonkers. Venus in Fur, A Doll’s House and Dear Elizabe…
- #61 - Brendan George
Brendan George wrote and starred in A Eulogy for Roman . The riveting immersive show had a successful run at 59 E 59 Theaters. Directed and conceived by Peter Charney, A Eulogy for Roman was also a hit at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Brendan…
- #60 - Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross stars with Ron Canada and Bryan Batt in Pay the Writer . Written Tawni O’Dell and directed by Karen Carpenter, Pay the Writer is now playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Cross, who starred as Bree Van de Kamp on De…
- #59 - Valisia LeKae
Valisia LeKae stars as LaVern Baker in Rock & Roll Man. The hit musical is playing at New World Stages. Valisia was nominated for Tony and Grammy Awards playing Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical. Some of her other Broadway and off-Broadway…
- #58 - Marilee Talkington
Marilee Talkington stars as Morgan Le Fey in the musical Camelot now playing at Lincoln Center Theater. A prolific actress on stage and screen, some of her other theater credits include A Nervous Smile, The Middle Ages, The Last Day and he…
- #57 - From the Vault: Alex Edelman
Alex Edelman is a comedian and writer whose Orthodox Jewish upbringing has informed his critically and commercially acclaimed work for the stage and screen. He is known for both his TV writing and his solo stage shows, all three of which h…
- #56 - Joel Thurm
Joel Thurm is known as one of Hollywood's most accomplished casting directors. He played a key role casting some of the most important shows and films including Cheers, Hill Street Blues, Taxi, Grease, Airplane!, and The Rocky Horror Pictu…
- #55 - Arian Moayed
Arian Moayed was nominated for a Tony Award for his dazzling performance playing Torvald in A Doll's House opposite Jessica Chastain. An Emmy and Tony nominated actor, writer and director, in 2002, he co-founded Waterwell, ( www.waterwell.…
- #54 - Martyna Majok
Martyna Majok was recently nominated for a Tony award for her riveting, profound and funny play "Cost of Living." The play delves into the lengths we go to care for others and what it means to fight for ourselves. Presented by Manhattan Th…
- #53 - NaTasha Yvette Williams
NaTasha Yvette Williams was just nominated for a Tony Award originating the role of band leader Sweet Sue in the new Broadway musical Some Like it Hot. She is also featured in the musical's original cast recording. NaTasha's other Broadway…
- #52 - Stephen McKinley Henderson
A most prolific actor, just a few of Stephen McKinley Henderson's credits include Fences, A Raisin In The Sun, A Doll's House Part 2, Lincoln, Manchester By The Sea, Lady Bird, Dune, Causeway, Beau Is Afraid and the upcoming Dune: Part 2.…
- #51 - Steven Boyer
Steven Boyer currently stars in the dazzling hit musical Kimberly Akimbo now playing at the Booth Theatre. He also received a Tony nomination for the play Hand To God. Some of his other credits include Time and the Conways, I'm Not Rappapo…
- #50 - Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage
Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage both wrote and directed The Immortal Jellyfish Girl at 59E59 Theaters. This dazzling out-of-the-box show is presented by Wakka Wakka and Nordland Visual Theatre. Gwendolyn and Kirjan are part of Wakka Wak…