This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Jayke Workman: Beth Leavel and Bebe Neuwirth are both returning to Broadway.

[0:04] Jayke Workman: The universe is in balance again.

[0:12] Jayke Workman: Oh my God, did you hear?

[0:14] Jayke Workman: Did you hear? Did you hear?

[0:15] Jayke Workman: Oh my God, guys.

[0:16] Jayke Workman: Jake got hot.

[0:17] Jayke Workman: I can't believe Jake is a producer.

[0:18] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[0:19] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[0:20] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[0:21] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[0:22] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[0:23] Jayke Workman: Oh my Pod, Oh my Pod U Guys.

[0:27] Jayke Workman: What's up everybody? My name is Jake Workman and this is Oh My Pod U Guys, a musical theater and pop culture podcast.

[0:33] Jayke Workman: You guys, I am currently exhausted because I was in Brooklyn until 1 a.m. last night attending an incredible musical event hosted by Gaia Music Collective.

[0:45] Jayke Workman: And if you guys haven't heard of Gaia, please check them out. They are an incredible group that puts on these beautiful collaborative community gatherings where we just sing, listen to each other sing and share just beautiful energy. It was so wonderful.

[1:00] Jayke Workman: There were incredible featured performances by musicians and singers and artists. And, you know, you just get to mingle with incredible people.

[1:09] Jayke Workman: And if you can't make them in person, like if you don't live in New York City, you can check out all of their content online on TikTok. They have a huge following now, which is so exciting.

[1:19] Jayke Workman: I feel so lucky to have gotten to experience this event last night in Brooklyn and I look forward to the next one. So check out Gaia Music Collective online.

[1:28] Jayke Workman: And with that, you guys, we got to dive right into this week's Broadway World Recap, brought to you by my amazing friends at BroadwayWorld.com.

[1:35] Jayke Workman: First, you guys, we got the very exciting announcement that the Broadway musical Lempicka has added two new principal cast members, which include Amber Iman and the Queen Beth Leavel as the Baroness.

[1:49] Jayke Workman: The show is going to star previously announced Ms. Eden Espinoza. And you guys, I cannot wait to see this show.

[1:56] Jayke Workman: Beth Leavel, in my opinion, can do no wrong. She is just a genius. And so the fact that she is involved in this new musical is just thrilling.

[2:04] Jayke Workman: I think it's such an indicator of what the material is going to be giving to us because Beth Leavel is just such an incredible actor as well as musician. So I'm just thrilled about this casting announcement. I can't wait to see it.

[2:16] Jayke Workman: The show is set to open on Broadway this spring at the Longacre Theatre and performances begin on Tuesday, March 19th.

[2:25] Jayke Workman: Next, you guys, Broadway World shared that Raul Esparza has revealed that the new musical Galileo, which he is starring in, has its sights set on Broadway.

[2:36] Jayke Workman: Raul confirmed that iconic Broadway producer Jordan Roth is involved in the show and the premiere production, which is opening at Berkeley Rep in May, is being treated as an out-of-town tryout for a pre-Broadway run.

[2:51] Jayke Workman: The show, written by Michael Wiener and Zoe Sarnak, is the story of the life of Galileo and it's being directed by Michael Mayer, who did Funny Girl and Spring Awakening. I mean, this team is amazing.

[3:04] Jayke Workman: And of course, Raul Esparza is an incredible talent, so I think we have something very exciting to look forward to, hopefully sooner than later.

[3:13] Jayke Workman: The world premiere of the show will run at Berkeley Rep from May 5th to June 16th of 2024, but who knows how soon or long after that run they'll get it to Broadway. But I am definitely looking forward to Galileo!

[3:28] Jayke Workman: Next, you guys, we got the very exciting announcement that Shaina Taub will make history as only the second woman in Broadway history to write the book, music, lyrics, and star in her own musical, in the Broadway transfer of Suffs.

[3:43] Jayke Workman: The show is centered around the women's movement in 1913, anchored by the Suffragists, or Suffs as they call themselves, and their relentless pursuit of the right to vote in America.

[3:53] Jayke Workman: This amazing show is going to be produced by Jill Fuhrman and Rachel Sussman, and they have co-producers Hillary Rodham Clinton and Malala Yousafzai.

[4:03] Jayke Workman: I am just so thrilled for everyone involved with this show that it's finally coming to Broadway and I want to send a special shout-out to my lovely friend Kim Blanc, who is making her Broadway debut with this show. I just couldn't be happier for you.

[4:15] Jayke Workman: And of course, shout-out to Queen Shaina Taub, who is making history with this performance and the creation of this show.

[4:22] Jayke Workman: Next, you guys, in another very exciting casting announcement, we got word that Marty Lauder is going to return to Broadway in the role of Victor in the Broadway revival of Cabaret.

[4:33] Jayke Workman: If you are a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race like I am, you may know Marty as Marsha Marsha Marsha from season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race. But some people don't know that out of drag, Marty is a performer who has done Kinky Boots both in the Broadway company and off-Broadway company, and is now returning to Broadway alongside some incredible performers.

[4:54] Jayke Workman: Not only will Marty be understudying the incredible performer Eddie Redmayne, but they will also be joining such wonderful people as Bebe Neuwirth, Stephen Skybell, Natasha Diaz, Henry Gottfried. I mean, the list goes on, you guys. This cast and this show, I mean, it's going to be incredible. I cannot wait to see it.

[5:17] Jayke Workman: And just a huge congratulations to Marty on this amazing opportunity.

[5:22] Jayke Workman: And lastly, you guys, we got the announcement that the heart of rock and roll has found their leading players in Corey Cott and Mackenzie Kurtz.

[5:30] Jayke Workman: Corey and Mackenzie are no stranger to leading a Broadway show, as Corey replaced Jeremy Jordan as Jack Kelly in the Broadway production of Newsies, and Mackenzie is currently starring in Wicked on Broadway as Glinda.

[5:44] Jayke Workman: But I think this is a very exciting opportunity for Mackenzie because this is her first time originating a role in a Broadway show, and that's a huge step from, you know, stepping into the iconic shoes of Glinda, where you've sort of had it mapped out for you, and there have been so many people to sort of lead the way before you.

[6:00] Jayke Workman: This has just been such a big year for Mackenzie, and I'm so excited for her, and I'm excited to see the show. It features the music of Huey Lewis and the News, which is interesting because Back to the Future, which is currently running on Broadway, already features a song by Huey Lewis and the News.

[6:15] Jayke Workman: So that's just funny to me that we're going to have multiple shows with this music in it. But hey, I'm excited to see what they do with it. I do not know anything about this show, but congratulations on this amazing gig to Corey Cott and Mackenzie Kurtz.

[6:31] Jayke Workman: And you guys, this has been the Broadway World Recap. Oh, my pod, you guys, I am so, so excited to welcome my next guest to the show. She is one of the most talented and lovely people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

[6:47] Jayke Workman: Please welcome Miss Cayleigh Capaldi!

[6:52] Cayleigh Capaldi: Hello!

[6:54] Jayke Workman: Welcome to the pod. I'm so excited that you're here. We have so much to talk about.

[6:59] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh, my God. I'm so excited, too, just because I feel like we've been, I mean, creatively, we've been crossing paths, but not like in the same room.

[7:09] Jayke Workman: In person, I know. It's crazy.

[7:12] Cayleigh Capaldi: It's so silly. Could you tell the listeners where you are calling in from on this snowy day?

[7:18] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh, my gosh. Yeah, I'm calling in from snowy New Jersey.

[7:23] Jayke Workman: New Jersey.

[7:25] Cayleigh Capaldi: Snowy New Jersey, right on the river.

[7:28] Jayke Workman: Gorgeous. How long have you been there?

[7:31] Cayleigh Capaldi: I've been here about five years.

[7:35] Jayke Workman: Oh, nice.

[7:36] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, I moved out here. I went to high school in California, and then I'm kind of revealing my age, but that's okay. I'm embracing it. I just turned 24.

[7:47] Jayke Workman: Oh, my God. Revealing my ripe old age of 24.

[7:52] Cayleigh Capaldi: Well, okay. It's this new era that I'm embracing because so I've, you know, been like a performer since I was little. I was a theater kid. I grew up in a show business family, all that, and so I've, like, been lucky enough to have representation for a while, and when you're a kid, when you're a teen, the name of the game is, like, don't let anyone know your age, right?

[8:13] Jayke Workman: Right.

[8:16] Cayleigh Capaldi: So now I'm, like, in my 20s, and I'm trying to not shy away from my age now, so it was my birthday, like, on January 3rd, so now I'm just like, okay, I'm 24. I don't care. Who knows it? A Capricorn queen.

[8:32] Jayke Workman: Capricorn, and really true Capricorn, that's for sure.

[8:37] Cayleigh Capaldi: Wait, so what was I saying? Oh, yeah. I went to high school in California. And then I moved out here for college because I went to Miss Columbia University. Ever heard of her?

[8:51] Jayke Workman: Just a few mentions.

[8:53] Cayleigh Capaldi: Little known.

[8:54] Cayleigh Capaldi: Little known. And, yeah, so my family lives out here now, too, and we're all very close, and I love it. It's just, you know, a little hop across the river into the city, so highly recommend.

[9:07] Jayke Workman: Yay. Well, I'm so, so excited. I mean, I have so many things to talk to you about and ask you, but I first just have to say that I cannot sing your praises enough because I first found your talent on social media and, you know, TikTok and Instagram and all of that, as we do now in the future that we are living in, but then I had the incredible pleasure to see you perform in Titanic Off-Broadway, which is one of the wildest.

[9:39] Jayke Workman: I have spoken ad nauseum about Titanic on this podcast. I'm absolutely obsessed. I've seen it eight times, but who's counting? And I've seen you play Rose, Ruth. I have yet to see Miss Kayleen Dion, and I need to see it. But please tell me, how did you get hooked up with the Titanic crew? Because you are turning it out at the Daryl Roth.

[10:06] Cayleigh Capaldi: Thank you. Oh my gosh. Well, thank you for being a part of the cult, first and foremost.

[10:12] Jayke Workman: Of course.

[10:13] Cayleigh Capaldi: The Tystanics.

[10:14] Jayke Workman: The Tystanics.

[10:16] Cayleigh Capaldi: You know it. So it's actually really crazy because when I think back last year in March, I was doing a show with Cullen, our mutual friend, and everybody was talking about, oh my God, have you seen Titanic yet? Have you seen Titanic yet? I was like, I have not seen it, but I've heard it nonstop being talked about. I need to go find out what this show is.

[10:43] Cayleigh Capaldi: Of course. It sounds so crazy, kooky, crazy, silly. And, I mean, you know, I just knew the byline of like, it's the movie Titanic, but told by Celine Dion. And it's like, what? What kind of fever dream created this?

[10:58] Cayleigh Capaldi: Exactly. So as soon as I got back, this was like around April of last year, I came to see the show with one of my best friends who I went to college with who had already seen it twice before. Genevieve. Shout out to Genevieve. I love you.

[11:16] Jayke Workman: Hey, girl.

[11:17] Cayleigh Capaldi: And so the second I saw it, I was just hooked.

[11:21] Jayke Workman: Of course.

[11:22] Cayleigh Capaldi: Of course. Fully obsessed. And so then literally it came about in the craziest way. So, you know, in Instagram DMs, there's that requests tab. And you can see and it for some reason it like hides some requests sometimes. So I go through there and like clear that out every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything.

[11:46] Cayleigh Capaldi: And this one time in April, not a few days before I saw the show for the first time, I see that I had gotten a DM from Ty Blue, our director of Titanic, in September of 2022. Which was before they moved to the Daryl Roth, right?

[12:05] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh, so all I guess I had followed him at that point because I've been hearing about the show at Asylum and I didn't get right or Asylum regrettably. But he just texted, he DM'd and he was like, "Hey, thanks for the follow. I follow you on TikTok." And so I come across this text, this DM a couple days before I see the show for the first time and I lose my mind. And I have half a mind to sue Instagram. Of course, just a joke for defamation. Yes. And so I replied to him immediately. And I'm like, "Oh my god, I can't believe I missed this. I'm so sorry. I'm obsessed with this show. I've heard nothing but amazing things." And he was like, "Oh, yeah, you should come in sometime for us." And you know, when people say that in our industry, it's like, "Okay, sure, Jan, like, we'll see when that happens.

I'll believe it when I see it." Yeah. Not an hour later, I get an email from my agent saying, "Hey, Ty would like to bring you in." So that was the first indication that these people were just different than everyone else, you know. And so I auditioned for the show. In May of last year, I was initially auditioning to replace Marla. And I was kind of going for both. Yeah, I was kind of going for both Celine and Rose throughout that process. But they were having me kind of go back and forth between the two. And then they brought beautiful Nicole Parker in. And a couple weeks after my final callback, Ty DM'd me again and was like, "Hey, we might be having a track opening up in the summer. And basically, because we couldn't really decide between both roles during the first audition process, do you want to just play both?

Just in rep." Okay. Yeah, that's how this track came along. I replaced the amazingly talented Courtney Bassett. And so now I cover Celine and Rose and Ruth, which is, Ruth is just the gag. Hilarious. I can't believe that you saw Ruth the first time you saw me. Because I literally, I keep track of how many times I've gone on for each role, like in my notes. I just like doing that. And Ruth is, you know, by far the least frequent. Of course. But also, you know, sometimes I have a lot of fun with her. I do have a lot of fun with her. So that's kind of a very long answer to how it came about. Very strange amount of technology and auditioning and just who you know. And thank God that it all came together because gosh, it's been the biggest blessing.

[15:04] Jayke Workman: It's, I mean, you in this show, your vocals are unreal. I mean, I have to just like shower you with praise for a second because truly, I think you are genuinely one of the most incredible vocalists I know. It's just the facility, the control, the range, it's all there. It's wild. So to get to like see you be in such a like campy, like ding donging around show where you're just like the whole point is to laugh. And then you just like, oh, by the way, I can also sing your face off. So here you go. It's just hilarious. I just love it.

[15:40] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my goodness. I know. Well, first of all, you are very, very sweet and kind to say all that. Thank you. But I really feel like I'm not alone in that, especially in this cast because everybody is singing down.

[15:57] Jayke Workman: Singing, mama!

[15:59] Cayleigh Capaldi: Singing! Oh my goodness. It's such a masterclass every night to see these people just absolutely eating and having the best time doing it as well. And I mean, I know you've, I'm a huge fan of the podcast. I listen to every, I really, really love all of your episodes.

[16:23] Jayke Workman: Oh boy.

[16:25] Cayleigh Capaldi: And so I know you've had quite a few other Titanic family members on the pod.

[16:30] Jayke Workman: I have indeed.

[16:31] Cayleigh Capaldi: I mean, everybody says, and I swear they're not lying. It's like, not only is everybody incredibly talented and have amazing vocals and comedic chops at the wazoo, but everybody is just a very kind, good person at heart.

[16:48] Jayke Workman: That is so fun.

[16:49] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah. And it makes it easier to go out and sing down when you feel so much support around you.

[16:57] Jayke Workman: Yeah. It really makes you just feel as comfortable as possible.

[17:02] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my gosh. And now you guys have OG Victor Garber back on the ship, Miss Frankie Grande. Ridiculous. That's going to be, I cannot wait to come and see it again.

[17:12] Jayke Workman: Girl, you have to come back. I have some Celine dates coming up.

[17:17] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my God, yay!

[17:18] Jayke Workman: And so, you know, you got to come and you got to see the whole crew because, oh my gosh, the energy that Frankie and Nathan Lee Graham, our new Ruth.

[17:28] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my God, yes. Incredible.

[17:30] Jayke Workman: The energy that they bring to this show. It's like, I mean, Drew and Willem are like my family members now. I love them so very much.

[17:41] Cayleigh Capaldi: Of course.

[17:42] Jayke Workman: Not a but, but an and. Frankie and Nathan, they bring this like wave of new energy that just injects the show with this. It just changes the show in such a great way because it's a fresh perspective. And Frankie, especially Frankie brings with him this like vestige of the original cast and the original show and his original performance. And it just blends in so beautifully with how the show has developed over time.

[18:15] Cayleigh Capaldi: Now, it's amazing to see. It's like a time capsule of someone's performance. And then you put it in a different situation with different people. And it still holds up, which is a testament to how brilliant and funny and genius Frankie is.

[18:30] Jayke Workman: I love it. I can't wait to see it.

[18:32] Cayleigh Capaldi: Well, I'm so glad that our paths have crossed, not only because I'm obsessed with this show, but we also have gotten to work on a project kind of together, but not really because we haven't been in the same room. We literally sing duets together and we were not in the studio together, but we both got to sing on the world premiere recording of a new musical called Figaro, which I am so excited about. And we get to do the premiere concert in March where we will finally get to sing together in person.

[19:03] Jayke Workman: How, tell me, how did you, how did you get, you know, in the loop of one Will Nunziata director extraordinaire and our writer Ashley Janna?

[19:15] Cayleigh Capaldi: The Will Nunziata experience. TM.

[19:20] Cayleigh Capaldi: TM, the Will Nunziata fantasy. Honestly, I'm not going to lie, came about social media as well. Came about through social media and also concentric circles of people that I know. I grew up for a time in Las Vegas when I was little. My mom opened the Vegas production of The Producers on the Strip. And so we moved there and lived there for a time. And we became friends with a singer and performer named Clint Holmes. And so Will directs a lot of cabaret shows and Will directed Clint's cabaret. And, you know, we met through that and he knew my parents and we, you know, he followed me on social media and followed my career for a time. And then he just reached out and he was like, "Hey, we really would love for you to sing on this album.

And we don't know, you know, we have very high hopes for it because we love, it's great material and we want you to come sing some songs." And, you know, that's, those songs turned into the album. And, and I got to meet you, which was the biggest blessing of all.

[20:39] Jayke Workman: And they sent us a like sneaky sneak peek of some of the samples. And I was like, "Oh my God, I'm so excited." They sound stunning. The masters are going to be incredible. I cannot wait for this album to come out, but to get to sing with you in person for an audience is going to be so fun. Because this music by Miss Ashley Janna, we are singing, ma!

[21:02] Cayleigh Capaldi: Storytelling.

[21:03] Jayke Workman: In the stratosphere.

[21:04] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yes. And the way that you like took the demos that were provided to us, you know, to sort of just like get the feel of everything and then make it your own was so beautiful and stunning. The, there's like such a beautiful balance between like ornamentation and, you know, riffing and, and then also keeping it true to what Ashley has written and, you know, telling the story, but I'm just so excited. I cannot wait to hear the album and for people to hear it.

[21:33] Cayleigh Capaldi: Me too. Honestly, Ashley, Ashley is such a great writer and such a wonderful collaborator, as I'm sure you experienced in the studio. She is so, she has, you know, not an ounce of ego on her because she, you know, she's so passionate about what she's written with good reason because it's fantastic. And she is also so open to just being like, "All right, I have this, but, you know, I want you to try whatever you want on this." And that takes a lot of security in knowing that what you've done holds up. And I really admire that because it creates, it makes for such a collaborative and welcoming and creative environment that can produce all of these things that you never really expected could happen.

And so, you know, there were moments where we were recording something and then she was like, "Actually, can we do this again? I'd like to change this lyric around. And what do you think about this? And actually, do you want to try to go higher here?" And there's, there's one song that is on the album that we will, by the grace of God, perform live. Pull through mama, as I point to my throat.

[22:53] Jayke Workman: You're like, come on, girl.

[22:54] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, yeah. The, you know, in the studio, I was just like, "Oh, why don't we, why don't we go higher? Well, actually, what if we go higher? Oh, actually, what if we go here?" And she was just like, "Let's try it all." And giving all the options. And so, yeah, it's just been such a wonderful opportunity to work on. And I have such high hopes for this show. And I mean, at the very least, it's connected the two of us and it's connected the rest of this wonderful cast. I mean, the voices on this album are mind blowing.

[23:34] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh, my gosh. I, I was kind of like, selfishly very happy to be the last one to record all of these tracks because I got to listen to all of you in, in the headphones. Just beautiful. The world is not ready.

[23:50] Jayke Workman: The world's not ready. Well, I, I cannot wait to ask you about your sort of childhood and upbringing in, in the world of arts and, you know, having such creative parents. But before I do, I would love to ask you maybe about the importance of social media in the way that we go about.

[24:10] Jayke Workman: Welcome back to my show. I'm so excited to talk to you about art because I feel like, you know, say what you want about, like, we're always on our phones, we're always, you know, like, it's a toxic cycle of like doom scrolling and all of it but like, it also has become such an incredible tool to market yourself as an artist and I think that you do it so beautifully and efficiently and the content that you create is not only entertaining and sometimes funny but it also is like a huge showcase of your incredible skills.

[24:39] Cayleigh Capaldi: Have you always, like, known that that was something that you wanted to do or like keep up with?

[24:46] Cayleigh Capaldi: Honestly, no. Not at least before the pandemic, that's for sure. Because I think what pushed me to start on TikTok, which is where I initially poured a lot of my energy into, was just sitting around at home, being bored and feeling like, feeling very creatively deprived, as I'm sure that you and everyone who's listening to this can relate to in some way. I was at the time doing online classes and just feeling really disconnected from the world and from my voice even because, you know, in those initial months, I wasn't really tapping into, I wasn't really doing much in the way of, you know, going to the vocal gym or vocal exercise.

[25:42] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, and feeling creative, feeling like I was making something and so that really weighed on me and, you know, it has all these mental health implications and all of that. So, yeah, I just started during the pandemic and I initially wanted to just do it for fun. I didn't really have any expectations out of it. I just wanted to feel like at the end of the day I had made something. Like, I made a hat. I made a TikTok video. And this is what I have to show for it.

[26:14] Cayleigh Capaldi: Finishing the TikTok.

[26:15] Cayleigh Capaldi: Finishing the TikTok.

[26:18] Cayleigh Capaldi: The title of episode.

[26:21] Jayke Workman: I love that. Sondheim is rolling in heaven.

[26:26] Cayleigh Capaldi: Anyway, so yeah, that it kind of just like started to blow up from there. And I had to remind myself a lot of the time and I still do. This is still a really big constant struggle. I'm not afraid to admit it. That when your platform starts to take off, when it starts to gain a little traction, it's so easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing the algorithm and the strategy of it all. The posting times, looking at your audience when they're active, you know, going on and doing videos according to trends and thinking of like the attention span and how to hook an audience.

[27:13] Cayleigh Capaldi: All of those practical things that you need, but it can get out of whack. And I often find myself focusing too hard on that rather than just creating for creativity's sake. So that's something I had to remind myself a lot. But at the end of the day, I think in terms of modern approaches to casting, post-pandemic approaches to casting and getting your name out there, I think social media can serve as a really great video resume in a way. And it's a great, like you said, a great showcase of a whole range of things that a person is capable of.

[27:59] Cayleigh Capaldi: And you get to dictate what you show to the world. It's really in your control. And it's opened a lot of doors for me. I wouldn't say that it's ever the main decision-making factor in casting for sure. You know, you got to be able to come into the room and back it up. But you know, at the end of a process, it might bump someone over the edge. And it really is a double-edged sword when you think about it that way. But in terms of marketing yourself, in terms of having this place that people can go to check you out and get a bit of an understanding of you, I think it's invaluable.

[28:40] Cayleigh Capaldi: And you know, when you're first starting out, consistency is key.

[28:46] Jayke Workman: Totally. Which is my hardest thing because I'm like, I make one video and it takes hours. And I'm like, I did it. And then you have to do it again?

[28:57] Cayleigh Capaldi: I know. I know. And especially ever since starting Titanic, I've been very inconsistent. And I feel very bad about it. But you know, life happens and in-person things I tend to prioritize more.

[29:11] Jayke Workman: She's a working girl.

[29:12] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah. Yeah. But really returning to creating when you feel motivated to for the right reasons that make you feel most fulfilled rather than feel pressured. Because that's when it's not fun and you want it to stay fun.

[29:27] Jayke Workman: Totally. I mean, I have to bring up the video of you singing on the street with that amazing guitar player. Like if you haven't seen the video, you guys, Cayleigh's like just finished a show as Celine.

[29:42] Cayleigh Capaldi: My first time.

[29:44] Jayke Workman: Oh my God, your first time as Celine.

[29:47] Cayleigh Capaldi: And this guy goes, hey, hey, come and sing with me. And you're like, oh, no, I'm like, I'm tired. You know, like, thanks. Have a good night. And then he's like, no, no, come sing. And you finally go and sing. And then you absolutely like out of nowhere, you sing September. And like the very first riff, Cayleigh, I was like, what the fuck is going on? How? How did you do that?

[30:13] Cayleigh Capaldi: You were like, uh, I mean, I guess we could.

[30:15] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, like, let's just sing September.

[30:22] Jayke Workman: How? It's so silly. But I'm so glad you posted it because it has become this incredible. Like so many people have like sent it to me. Have you seen this? And I'm like, yes, bitch, I know her.

[30:34] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yes. I mean, talk about unexpected, like out of nowhere. That was totally unplanned, totally random. I had not been following Reggie, who was the guitarist before. But yeah, literally, it was my first Celine. We were in the middle of a COVID wave in the cast. So coverage was very sparse and we were doing the best we could. And so it was my first time on a Celine. And, you know, terrified out of my mind. And we did the show. We were walking home. You know, I had my family there to support and there was Reggie.

[31:17] Cayleigh Capaldi: And I just said to myself, you know what? I'm just going to listen to the universe. This has obviously been sent my way for a reason. If not to just bring some joy to the night, some even more joy to the night. My indication that this was probably going to be bigger than I thought probably should have been that when I walked in front of the mic stand next to Reggie and he had this really gorgeous looking setup, I looked and he was live streaming it. And there were like five thousand people on this live stream.

[31:49] Cayleigh Capaldi: And I thought to myself, huh, that's that's a slay amount of people.

[31:54] Jayke Workman: Yeah, that's a slay. Go ahead and be a slay.

[31:57] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah. So but then honestly, it was just for fun. And it just blew up from there in the most unexpected way. And my tired director from Titanic and my cast members, they kind of were just they were like, oh, of course you had to call out Titanic in the video. And I was like, literally, if one person is going to shout this show from the rooftops, it's going to be me. And I'm going to include it in any talking point that I do. So, yeah, it was really fun.

[32:31] Cayleigh Capaldi: And I mean, Reggie is such an insanely talented, giving, kind person. And I think I think like across Facebook and YouTube and Instagram and TikTok, it's gotten combined like well over 100 million views, which is why.

[32:48] Jayke Workman: That's insane.

[32:51] Cayleigh Capaldi: Like people have noticed me off the street. They've come up to me and that's that's just the craziest thing to me. But I think the thing that I remember most of all about that night was. So because we were going through this COVID wave, I we tested every day and in the morning I was totally negative. And I went through the day and through that show as Celine. I was like, huh, something doesn't feel right vocally. I'm leaving the show. We're outdoors. So, you know, everyone's totally safe with filming this video on the street. And I'm I at that point, I feel like there's like a red hot, fiery coal in the pit of my throat the whole time. And I'm like, I really just want to go home and rest. And then this video happens and we do it and I get home and I have COVID.

[33:51] Jayke Workman: Oh my God.

[33:56] Cayleigh Capaldi: And literally one of the most flawless vocals I've ever heard. Like, oh, it kind of feels like I have a red hot poker down my throat. Let me just sing this really quick. That's how it felt.

[34:02] Jayke Workman: Yeah. That's crazy.

[34:06] Cayleigh Capaldi: It was crazy. And luckily, you know, obviously, COVID happened. Life happens. It was my first time ever having COVID.

[34:18] Jayke Workman: Wow.

[34:21] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, I was able to hold out for a while. But, yeah, that was the craziest thing, like doing that. It's kind of taught me like I've always struggled with perfectionism and I've had a really difficult time speaking of social media, balancing perfectionism with churning out content.

[34:40] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah. In a consistent way. And that can be very difficult when you are when I, you know, when I force myself to do take after take after take. Oh, it has to sound perfect. It has to be perfect. But in that moment with unknown raging COVID and a poker in my throat and all of all of the circumstances of the day, I just had to remind myself like your best is all that you need to do. And it still can yield wonderful results. And so that was a big learning experience for me in a way.

[35:18] Jayke Workman: I'm sure it also I don't I don't even know if it actually would help or if it would make it more difficult that you have perfect pitch.

[35:26] Cayleigh Capaldi: I do. So you are like that was wrong.

[35:30] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah, it was wrong. I can hear it.

[35:33] Jayke Workman: Oh, a blessing and a curse. And I know that some people might roll their eyes hearing that because that sounds a little bit a little bit gross to say. But it really is a blessing and a curse. I swear it's been it is a big factor in the perfectionism of it all.

[35:52] Jayke Workman: Of course. Yeah. How could it not be?

[35:54] Jayke Workman: So when you say perfect pitch, do you mean like if I said sing an A, you could just sing an A?

[36:00] Cayleigh Capaldi: Wow. Just because that's so wild. It is. Well, it's been that way. Yeah, it has. It's funny that you ask that because just the other day over Christmas and my birthday.

[36:15] Jayke Workman: I started singing the song in the same key that the Broadway cast recording was in. And at that moment, I realized, like watching it back now, I realized that I had always been doing that. I had always had that banging around in my brain, even since I was little. And so yeah, I didn't really, we didn't identify it till I was like, maybe seven or eight. But yeah, it's always been a thing that—Wow, that is so cool. Yeah, it's helped musically and it's helped, you know, it has its benefits. It helps with retention. It helps with, you know, a party trick. But yeah, it does definitely has the downsides.

[37:31] Cayleigh Capaldi: Wow, that's wild. Well, you mentioned, you know, your parents and sort of being a child in the realm of artists, but would you tell me about your experience having two performer parents? Because I mean, my parents are artistic and are, you know, I grew up in a family that has lots of music in it. But like, your mother was kicking it on Broadway, everywhere, all over the universe. Your father is a musician from a very notable band, one foreigner, if you will. Tell me, how was that experience as a child?

[38:08] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my gosh. It's funny, my friend, my good friend Garrett, who is one of our super swings in Titanique, we were just talking about this the other day. He comes from a military family and I come from a showbiz business family and we were talking about it and like, there are some similarities between the two, believe it or not. Moving around every few years, you know, not staying in the same place for very long and switching schools and having just a different way of growing up. I felt like I had a very international childhood. A very, one that I'm very grateful for and wouldn't trade for the world. But yeah, I grew up in dressing rooms and green rooms more than I grew up at home. I have more memories from being backstage and watching my... Backstage at the Ambassador Theater, baby!

All the different, yes! Chicago, the musical! Yes! Which is another way that we're connected, in a sense. Yes, wild. Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to see you with Mary someday. When you are on next, you need to tell me because I will be there front and center.

[39:27] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh, I would love it. Yeah, so yeah, growing up with performers in the family, it was... I never had another notion of doing anything different, you know? I always knew that this was what I was going to do. I was encouraged by my parents, but not forced. If anything, when I got older, they were like, are you sure there's nothing you want to do? Are you sure you want to do this? Anything more stable. But yeah, it was a big gift. I feel like I had to grow up faster because there were a lot of things. As much as my parents tried to protect me and give me a normal childhood and protect my innocence, you know, this industry is a very mature industry and I definitely had to grow up faster than my friends and my counterparts as a young kid.

I was moving around a lot as well. I didn't really retain friendships going from place to place because we're kids. It made my family very insular and very connected. Home was less of a geographical location and more of wherever my parents and family were. I was able to travel a lot with my dad. He's a celebrity headliner on cruise ships. We got to travel with him a lot and travel with his band. He's not in Foreigner anymore. He was in Foreigner in the 80s and early 90s. It was a really wonderful upbringing because I was exposed to a lot of the industry that I think you don't see unless you've had your own personal experience as a performer. Not just seeing the highs and the success, but seeing the in-between jobs and seeing what it's like to just have to go through audition processes and the business side of it all, marketing yourself and negotiating and contracts.

It was very educational. I think an upbringing like that, seeing behind the scenes and both sides, the positives and the negatives of this career, was very invaluable because if anything, it made me very realistic in choosing this career and thinking like, okay, if I really want to do this, then I know what to expect. I know how to market myself and I know how to behave as a human being.

[42:32] Jayke Workman: Yeah, absolutely. I think I read somewhere in my internet deep dive of stalking you that you were born in the UK. That's so amazing. I believe that means that are you a dual citizen?

[42:48] Cayleigh Capaldi: I am indeed.

[42:51] Jayke Workman: That's so cool. Then do you have any interest in jumping across the pond and working in the theater world on the West End or in London?

[43:00] Cayleigh Capaldi: Abso-freaking-lutely. Last time I was in London was 2016. It's been a long time. One of my life goals is to live there again and perform on the West End. Film and TV is such a huge industry in the UK. All of that and I miss it. It feels like such a part of me. I grew up there. I was born there and lived there until I was seven. Then we moved to Vegas. My home in London is a lot of those theaters, Seven Dials and Jury Lane. I see all those dressing rooms that my mom was in. I want to be there again. It feels like home.

[44:05] Jayke Workman: I would imagine a full circle moment of getting to the same places that your mom worked into. That's just amazing.

[44:06] Cayleigh Capaldi: Very full circle.

[44:09] Jayke Workman: Wow. That's so cool. In the midst of being a worldly child traveling all over the place and knowing that you were going to study for this as a career and going to school for this, when did you have time to become fluent in Mandarin Chinese?

[44:21] Cayleigh Capaldi: I'm just a little confused, Miss Capaldi.

[44:37] Cayleigh Capaldi: Okay. How that came about, I was in sixth grade and I was in Las Vegas. We had a new headmaster, a new principal at our middle school. He brought in this whole Mandarin program. We had the choice to do French, Spanish, Latin, but I was just really interested right away in Mandarin. Growing up in London, every Sunday we used to go to Chinatown, which is one of the best Chinatowns in the world in London. We would go to dim sum every weekend. And it was my favorite time of the week because I was a very picky child. But when we went to dim sum, I would eat everything in sight. The people who worked there would teach me little words in Chinese and I was able to have little conversations. When the opportunity to fully study the language in school came up, I just jumped at it because not only was I interested from a cultural standpoint, but it is a very musical language.

And with perfect pitch and with my interest in singing and music from the earliest age, I felt this instant connection because it's a tonal language and every word has four tones, which have four different meanings for each word. So I felt like when I was speaking the language, I was singing in a way. And it just clicked with my brain very easily. And so since then, I've been to China twice and I went to Colombia to study Mandarin and East Asian Studies because it's the best East Asian Studies program on the East Coast. And I really wanted to pursue that instead of going a conservatory route for college or a musical theater route because I figured if I'm in New York City, I can get my academics during the day and have the opportunity to audition and take classes in the city in my free time.

So I wanted to get the best of both worlds with that. But my other huge passion in life is singing in Mandarin. And I would love to one day go over there and do a Broadway show translated into Chinese because they're doing that. Yeah, they're doing that with Phantom. I think they've done that with The Lion King.

[47:24] Cayleigh Capaldi: Kaley Capaldi as Elphaba in Mandarin. You're literally speaking my dreams into fruition.

[47:33] Jayke Workman: Oh my God, that's incredible. I mean, I just love this podcast has brought me to so many people and I've gotten to have so many amazing conversations with people and learn things that I just would never have known. And so that is just such a cool thing that you just are such a well-rounded person and performer and the ability to do that is incredible to be able to be like, oh yeah, I could do it fully in Chinese. That's just iconic and just another thing to literally put on your resume, put on your special skills and be like, oh yeah, I did this too. That is so cool. Can I put you on the spot and have you say, shall we go for it in Mandarin, but also as Celine?

[48:21] Jayke Workman: Oh my gosh, well, I think the easiest, I think the easiest translation would be, it's like a, it's like a word of encouragement. It's, it's like, let's do it. You can do it. It's kind of similar. Like, let's go for it. It would basically just be 加油. So as we could say, 加油. Okay.

[48:54] Cayleigh Capaldi: Iconic.

[48:58] Jayke Workman: Obsessed with you. Well, before I let you go, I have a series of musical theater rapid fire questions that I ask every guest.

[49:07] Cayleigh Capaldi: I studied up on these questions.

[49:10] Jayke Workman: Oh my god. I'm actually asking you, bitch. Okay. Are you ready?

[49:18] Cayleigh Capaldi: I am ready.

[49:21] Jayke Workman: Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber?

[49:24] Cayleigh Capaldi: Sondheim, 1000%.

[49:27] Jayke Workman: Sweatpants or jeans?

[49:30] Cayleigh Capaldi: I'm gonna say jeans, but I'm a hypocrite because I'm wearing sweatpants right now.

[49:38] Jayke Workman: Do you have a favorite musical?

[49:42] Cayleigh Capaldi: I have a favorite musical, but it's a four-way tie.

[49:47] Jayke Workman: Spill it, baby.

[49:49] Cayleigh Capaldi: Okay. Obviously, I'm gonna take Willem's answer and just say Titanic. But then my other three favorites, I cannot choose between Into the Woods, The Producers, and A Chorus Line.

[50:04] Jayke Workman: Oh my god. Wow. Those are heavy hitters. Oh my god. And you said your mom was in the original Vegas Company of Producers?

[50:11] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yes, she was.

[50:13] Jayke Workman: Yes, she was also in the original West End production.

[50:18] Cayleigh Capaldi: Wow, that's so cool. So you have a big connection to that show.

[50:22] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yes, as well as A Chorus Line because she did that in London and won an Olivier for it.

[50:28] Jayke Workman: Oh my word. Forgive me, madame. I didn't even know.

[50:32] Cayleigh Capaldi: No.

[50:33] Jayke Workman: What role was that for? Was she Cassie?

[50:35] Cayleigh Capaldi: Sheila. She was Sheila.

[50:37] Jayke Workman: Sheila. Come on.

[50:38] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yes. Yeah.

[50:39] Jayke Workman: Oh my god. Just a casual Olivier award. Do you have a least favorite musical?

[50:43] Cayleigh Capaldi: I mean, the first one that just automatically comes to mind is Bad Cinderella?

[50:56] Jayke Workman: I'm sorry, girl.

[50:57] Cayleigh Capaldi: That one does come to many people's minds, let me tell you. But you know what? I will say, and I will always say, that cast was turning it out, kicking their noses and singing down while looking gorgeous in the most beautiful costumes on the most beautiful set. That is all I will say.

[51:18] Jayke Workman: Gorgeous gowns, period.

[51:20] Cayleigh Capaldi: Period.

[51:23] Jayke Workman: Would you ever like to do a Broadway play?

[51:26] Cayleigh Capaldi: Absolutely. Absolutely. One of my dreams is to do a Broadway play. One of my dreams is to do Our Town. That's one of my favorite plays.

[51:42] Jayke Workman: Entirely in Chinese.

[51:44] Cayleigh Capaldi: There you go.

[51:47] Jayke Workman: Are you a morning person or a night owl?

[51:50] Cayleigh Capaldi: I am a night owl. Very much so.

[51:53] Jayke Workman: Me too.

[51:54] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah.

[51:54] Jayke Workman: What is the craziest thing a director has ever asked you to do?

[51:58] Cayleigh Capaldi: Oh my god.

[52:04] Cayleigh Capaldi: A rehearsal room. Okay. Okay. I'm obviously not going to say who this was or what the audition was for. But I think probably the craziest thing that I was asked to do in an audition was to do the whole audition barefoot. It was not a dance audition. It had nothing to do. I was reading sides and singing. And they were like, I would we would really love if you could just do this barefoot just to feel the earth as you're singing. And I was like, girl, we're on the third floor of Pearl Studios. The only thing I'm feeling is this Marley. So I guess we're gonna go with that. But that was the craziest thing.

[52:58] Jayke Workman: I'm dead. That's hilarious. Golden Age or Contemporary?

[53:05] Cayleigh Capaldi: Contemporary. But if we're doing Golden Age, then we need to completely reimagine it and have it reveal something about our modern selves.

[53:16] Jayke Workman: Love.

[53:17] Cayleigh Capaldi: Yeah.

[53:18] Jayke Workman: Do you have a favorite role that you have ever played?

[53:22] Cayleigh Capaldi: Well, um, maybe I'm biased. But when I'm on for Celine, I feel invincible. I, I love that role so much. But I will also say, when I was in high school, I played Mary Poppins. And that was my favorite role. My favorite show.

[53:44] Jayke Workman: I would give to see Kaylee Poppins.

[53:47] Cayleigh Capaldi: That's one of my dream roles. Kaylee Kapelpaba!

[53:53] Jayke Workman: Coffee or tea?

[53:56] Cayleigh Capaldi: Tea.

[53:58] Jayke Workman: Nice.

[53:59] Cayleigh Capaldi: Like a true, like any true self-respecting Brit.

[54:03] Jayke Workman: Of course. How could I forget?

[54:07] Cayleigh Capaldi: What's the hardest show that you have ever done?

[54:12] Cayleigh Capaldi: Okay, um, I would have to say, I would have to say, I don't know. Okay, I think the hardest show that I've ever done was Putting It Together. For anybody who doesn't know, Putting It Together is like a review of Sondheim songs. And it's basically a big selection. Yeah, a big selection of Sondheim's catalog, but strung together with its own independent plot and story. And it's five cast members. And this was the show I was doing with Cullen in Salt Lake last year, at the beautiful Pioneer Theatre Company. And it was the hardest show I've ever done because of the material. I mean, Sondheim material is brilliant, but look at the material, baby, the number of nights that we would all just sit in our rooms going over these lyrics and like, eating them.

It's, it was extremely difficult. But because it was so hard, it was so fulfilling and gratifying to just be able to sing that music. And we had like a two and a half week run. And I think all of us got it right maybe the last night, you know, it's one of those things. Of course. But it's just it's yes, putting it all.

[54:44] Jayke Workman: Love. What about who is the silliest cast member in Titanic?

[54:48] Cayleigh Capaldi: I'm gonna give the same answer that everybody has given on this pod from this show. Marcus Antonio, off Broadway's biggest bully.

[56:00] Jayke Workman: But it here, but heard it here. But listen, Marcus is my, like, bestie soulmate. I we both came into the show together. We both rehearsed together and joined the show at the same time. So we were like in the trenches, the two of us figuring out this crazy show. And we've just been like inseparable ever since I love him so much. He is fierce and exceptionally talented. And one of the craziest, goofiest, silliest girls in the world.

[56:44] Cayleigh Capaldi: Brandon Contreras, of course, is mentally insane. But like join the club. If you're in Titanic, you are mentally. Um, yeah, I would say I would say those two. Those two silly goofy. God. Do you have a dream role?

[57:08] Cayleigh Capaldi: Okay, I am. I'd say for sure Elphaba in any language in any company in the world. Absolutely. Um, and then I think depending on when I get to play this role in my life, maturity wise, age wise, all those things. Just either Cinderella or Baker's Wife into the woods. I played I played Cinderella in high school. But I think somewhere down the road, I will mature into Baker's Wife and be very grateful when I do because that's one of my favorite roles in all musical theater. And then you know, a role that hasn't been written yet something that I can collaborate on and create and help craft. Kind of like Figaro, which is a huge blessing.

[57:57] Jayke Workman: Yes. Amazing. Kaylee Kapelpaba.

[58:05] Jayke Workman: Well, my last question for you, my darling Kaylee is what is one thing that you would tell baby Kaylee?

[58:15] Cayleigh Capaldi: Okay. One thing I would tell baby Kaylee is to always remember that you are the hardest critic you will ever encounter. And to remember that if it's your best, then it's all that you need to do. And even when you feel like you're not doing your best, as long as you're showing up and being kind and supportive and creative, then that's all that matters. And you don't have to answer to anybody but yourself if you are checking those boxes.

[59:01] Jayke Workman: Period. Love it. Well, Kaylee, thank you so so much for being on the pod. You are just such a delight. I it's so silly that we have like only barely met in person. Yeah, of course after seeing Titanic, but I cannot wait to see you again soon. Tell the listeners where they can find you on all of the socials and keep up with your fabulousness.

[59:23] Cayleigh Capaldi: Absolutely. You can find me on TikTok and Instagram at kaylee.kapelba. And yeah, follow there for all the updates for shenanigans for.

[59:36] Jayke Workman: Follow for the whistletones, bitch.

[59:38] Cayleigh Capaldi: Follow for the whistletones.

[59:41] Cayleigh Capaldi: Which is insane, by the way.

[59:44] Cayleigh Capaldi: Thank you. Oh, by the way, if you check out our album, Figaro coming out on March 4, you might hear a few of those.

[59:52] Cayleigh Capaldi: You might hear a whistle or two.

[59:54] Cayleigh Capaldi: You might hear a whistle or two.

[59:56] Cayleigh Capaldi: Anyone can whistletone with Kaylee Capaldi.

[59:59] Jayke Workman: There is the title. That's called poetry.

[1:00:04] Cayleigh Capaldi: Period.

[1:00:08] Jayke Workman: You guys, that's it for another episode of Oh My Pod, you guys. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe anywhere you listen to the pod. And you can follow the show on Instagram at Oh My Pod, you guys. Thanks so much for listening. Talk soon. Bye.