This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Jason A. Coombs: Hello, Survivors. Welcome to Survival Jobs, a podcast in collaboration with Broadway World and Broadway Podcast Network. I am Jason A. Coombs, your co-host, and this is Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo. What am I pointing behind me? Sorry, Samantha, who is my amazing, wonderful co-host. Iconic, legendary, extraordinary, all the good things. Samantha, how are you feeling? What's wrong? Hi! Happy Tony season, right? We're just knee-deep in the Tony season.

[0:40] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: We're just talking Tonys. You said, how am I? I would still love to play our temperature check game of different Tony shows. My temperature check today surrounding a Tony show, a show that's nominated for a Tony or just in the Tony season, is a silly one. It's not silly, but it's a little different. I am talking about an actor, not a character. Today, I feel like past guest April Mathis as herself in Mary Jane, not as the characters or as anything to do with that show because she plays two characters in that show. I've been spreading myself so thin this week and doing so many different things and freelancing jobs and doing my survival job and getting things going with this show. I feel like I'm playing many different people as well in my own life. I feel like April Mathis as herself in Mary Jane playing multiple parts. All right, that works. That's a stretch. We love April Mathis. Love. Jason, what's your temperature check based on a show?

[1:53] Jason A. Coombs: I'm just going to say The Wiz because I literally just watched the Wicked trailer and I'm feeling very, very, very engrossed in that story. I'm going to go with The Wiz.

[2:09] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Okay, this is a really good segue. What did you think of the Wicked trailer? This is a huge day, especially for a musical theater generation of us. We grew up on Wicked.

[2:22] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, it's exciting. It's exciting. I know I'll be seated on Thanksgiving Day in the theater to see it because it's been such a staple of our story, of growing up. The music, of course, is incredible and it's Wicked. What else can I say? I'm a little annoyed that they gave away the whole movie in the trailer, which is like most trailers these days. They just can't let you have any kind of mystery about the story. It's just like, here's beat by beat by beat what's going to happen.

[3:01] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Well, I mean, yes. Of course, we know because we've seen it, but for people who haven't seen it, I don't know. I hate when they just give away the whole trailer. We don't need to know everything that's going to happen.

[3:10] Jason A. Coombs: This is true. There's a lot missing, I will say. I have to say, my group chats have been going off today and the reviews are mixed on this trailer. People are either loving it or others are really just not feeling it. I will say personally, I cried. I cried. I got chills. I was like, oh my God. Wicked was a huge door for me into musical theater as a 13-year-old. I had already dipped my toes in Broadway a little bit, but not at the level of Wicked. I remember my theater friend group, my middle school theater friend group, we somehow illegally got the script, which I still have to this day. If someone's listening, don't come for me. I literally got it in 2003. I don't know. It's hard for me to navigate if I think this trailer's incredible or Wicked's just so important to me.

I thought it was amazing. I thought the visual aspects of it were great. The way that they incorporated the music into the trailer, but not in your face, throwing the musical numbers at you, but you know it's a musical versus the Mean Girls trailer. I was like, is this even a musical? The Mean Girls trailer straight up didn't have any of the musical theater songs, which I have opinions on that. For another, might check.

[4:29] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. This one does that without directly doing that, but there's no singing, right? They just have singing voices in the background.

[4:38] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: It's in the background. It's popular in the background, to find gravities in the background. We're not giving full shots of the musical numbers, which I think was the way to do it. I liked it. Ariana Grande is literally hanging from the chandelier with her toe fully pointed. If someone's watching that and they don't think that that's ... Maybe she must jump on that chandelier during Popular, if I were to make an assumption.

[5:03] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I'm right there with you. Why was the trailer so long?

[5:09] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: It is long. Why was the trailer so long?

[5:11] Jason A. Coombs: It definitely is long. I definitely watched it at least four times. Three times in a row is 12. So I took up 12 and a half minutes of my day. I love that though. It's exciting. I'm excited for Ariana. I think she's giving Glinda, which I was nervous about.

[5:27] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Glinda. Her acting was like in the ... Yeah. The little moments we saw, I was like, yes, girl. Well, she flew up on Wicked. She was a theater girl going to see Wicked, loving Wicked. Can you imagine? She's this huge, huge, huge pop star. This is probably the highlight of her whole career. Did you see the video? There's a video on Twitter I saw a couple of days ago, which was the director calling Cynthia Erivo and Ariana. And again, like telling them we got the role and how excited they were.

[5:59] Jason A. Coombs: I did. That was really beautiful. I did. And I saw this also featured on my favorite morning talk show, Hoda and Jenna. And Hoda and Jenna were like, can you imagine? Exactly sort of what I just said. I basically stole it from the girls. Hey, y'all. You're deep. They were like, you're this huge pop star. You're these huge celebrities, right? Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are major celebrities. And booking this musical theater role in this iconic staple in the musical theater world, it's huge for them. And it all comes back to musical theater, guys. And it all comes back to Broadway, the heart and soul of life. Can we talk about Jonathan Bailey, the little glimpses we saw of him? He plays Piero. I knew you looked confused at first.

[6:45] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: I was like, who's that? He's this really, really popular actor right now that everyone's like they're strapping over. And yeah, he's like, sometimes when they cast the love interest, you're like, oh, that's who they cast? Not to throw any shade at any other musical movies that came out recently. But this one, you're like, okay, that's our Piero. Even though in the book, he's blue, right? So I wish they would have done that, but whatever.

[7:08] Jason A. Coombs: Wow. I didn't know that he was blue in the book.

[7:13] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Yeah. He's either blue and he has diamonds or something on him. I haven't read it since 2004, probably, but he didn't look like a normal man. I think he had blue skin. Anyway, that's neither here nor there. And then I do have one more note. We didn't see any glimpse of Bach. Shout out Ethan Slater.

[7:33] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, we didn't?

[7:33] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Not one glimpse of Bach in this trailer, unless I missed it, which I'm like-

[7:38] Jason A. Coombs: You saw it four times. You know, I did. I did. I watched it four times. I didn't see Ethan Slater, which I'm like, yeah. So I was a little shocked. No, Ethan. But you know what? It was long enough, Jason, to your point. So we got to keep it moving. It was three and a half minutes, but I was watching it and I was like, wait, this feels way longer than a regular trailer. I looked down and I was like, oh yeah, because it is. Usually trailers are like two, two and a half. This was a whole minute longer, but yeah, it looks great. Can't wait for Thanksgiving.

[8:04] Jason A. Coombs: I can't wait for Thanksgiving. We needed to focus a lot on the hat in the trailer, which they did. They gave that hat so many moments in that trailer.

[8:12] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: You know what? It's the Wicked Witch and we need to see the hat, Jay.

[8:18] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. It was so exciting. I do have a shout out one movie I saw recently though.

[8:23] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: What's here?

[8:24] Jason A. Coombs: It's called Challengers. Have you seen it? With Zendaya? Have you heard of it?

[8:28] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: I have heard of it. I have not seen it.

[8:31] Jason A. Coombs: It's the sluttiest, horniest movie with no sex I've seen in a long time. Zendaya is great. I can't remember her co-star's name. I wasn't planning on talking about this, but I just had to shout out Zendaya because she's a queen and she kills it in this movie. I wish everyone go see it. It's a tennis movie, but also there's drama, there's romance, there's comedy, and it's really, really, really horny.

[8:53] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Oh my God, Jay, a lot of times you just said horny at this podcast. I'm crying.

[9:00] Jason A. Coombs: More than the past three years combined, right?

[9:03] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Probably. I don't know if we've ever used that word. Guys, happy Tony season. We're just horny for Tony season. What can I say?

[9:08] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Who are we talking to today?

[9:11] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Speaking of Tony season, from the Tony-nominated musical, The Notebook, we have Ryan Vasquez. They are up for three. Book, Dorian, who plays older Noah, for leading actor in a musical, and Marianne, who plays older Ali, for leading actress in a musical. Apologies if I'm missing any noms, but I know I've talked about The Notebook on this show. I loved The Notebook. I can't wait to go back. I cried, I cried, I cried. Ryan is so good in this show, and we can't wait for you guys to hear this episode, and you must go see The Notebook.

[9:55] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. He's a fantastic actor. I love how he kept ... because everyone who knows The Notebook knows that it's emotional, it's drama, there's lots of crying, but I like that he was reminding us that ... and he was bringing it back to there are moments of levity in this production, and I think that kind of gets missed because of the folklore of The Notebook is that, but like you're ... I can't remember his name, I apologize, but you're a student, you're a former student.

[10:21] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Carson Stewart, shout out.

[10:23] Jason A. Coombs: He's so funny. He's hilarious.

[10:25] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: He plays Ben and plays a nurse at the nursing home.

[10:28] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, it's so funny. He's so great, and there's moments like that that really make you smile and laugh, and it's a really beautiful show. I'm excited for ... I've been nominated, and I hope more people go and see it. Ryan, bow down. He's an icon. We love him.

[10:46] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Icon, icon, icon. We'll tell you guys a little bit about him, and then enjoy this episode.

[10:52] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, like how you played, what, 14 different roles in Hamilton?

[10:55] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Oh my gosh. Like that is a true star right there. Whoever could take that and do it with grace.

[11:02] Jason A. Coombs: Great. What? Okay. Ryan Vasquez is an actor and organizer based in New York City. He has been featured in Broadway productions of Wicked, speaking of Wicked, Waitress, in the original Broadway cast of Waitress, and Hamilton, where he became the only actor to play all the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, Hercules Mulligan, and James Madison on Broadway after premiering the show in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

[11:36] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: He also originated the role of Man in Black in The Wrong Man at MCC Theatre, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination, as well as originating leading roles in the world premiere productions of Hello, The Notebook, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants, and Water for Elephants, all opening on Broadway in 2024. And here we are on Broadway in 2024.

[12:03] Jason A. Coombs: Side note, if you want your musical to go to Broadway, just cast him in your reading and whatnot, because clearly, he has some kind of magic charm. Can you imagine like what a blessing, sorry to go off topic from the bio, just to be like, hey, you can be in any of these three shows going to Broadway. Take your pick. Like what? Wild. Wild. Should I continue?

[12:27] Samantha Dawn Tuozzolo: Continue it up, Jay.

[12:58] Ryan Vasquez: I founded the voter outreach organization Swing From Home, which made contact with hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2020 election cycle. Yes, bringing Broadway talent to the homes of people across the world during the pandemic and raising nearly $1 million for down ballot races across America. I love that. He was also a founding organizer of Generation We, a community support organization for LGBTQIA plus candidates running for local office. He's a son of an educator, and Ryan has also worked as a teacher at the elementary, pre-college, and university level, and he's a proud Michigan graduate. I love that he is an archivist. How does this guy do so much? Yeah. I don't know. It's iconic.

How do you act in 14 different workshops and raise $1 million for voter outreach and educate and do all these amazing... He's a superhero. He's a superhero. He's a superhero. He was so kind, so down to earth. We had technical issues and he was so patient. He's iconic. I'm a little bit obsessed. We had technical issues and we were like, Oh my God, we're so sorry. And he's like, Okay, number one problem is you're apologizing for technology. And we were like, Yeah, that's true. You guys will hear it. He's so fantastic. Yeah. And he'll make you weep in The Notebook. So run to The Notebook. All right, y'all. Enjoy The Notebook. Enjoy The Notebook. Yes, of course. Go enjoy The Notebook, but also before you go enjoy The Notebook, enjoy listening to our conversation with Mr. King, Ryan Vasquez. Enjoy. Hi, Ryan. Welcome to Survival Jobs: A Podcast.

[14:39] Ryan Vasquez: Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

[14:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh my God. Thank you for joining us. I was just telling you before we recorded Jason and I saw The Notebook last week and we were pretty close and I was like, sobbing and I'm like, I hope nobody can see me on that stage. But then I looked around and everyone was so I was like, I'm good. I'm good.

[14:59] Ryan Vasquez: Isn't it gorgeous? It's just like, yeah, it's such a it's so cool to like experience that type of like intense emotional output as like a group of 1000. It's not something that we usually do. So very cool. It was so beautiful. You've heard those snippets the whole time.

[15:17] Ryan Vasquez: All around us. So I mean, we definitely have so much Notebook to talk about, obviously. But before we do that, this is Survival Jobs: A Podcast. Before you were starring in The Notebook and also crushing it all over Broadway and regionally and everywhere. Do you have a memorable survival job that was maybe one of your favorites along your journey?

[15:34] Ryan Vasquez: Favorites is nuts, because not really. But I worked a lot in college, some sort of like odd jobs. I actually I do have a favorite, I guess I so I graduated early, I went to college in Michigan, and I graduated a semester early, like really loaded front loaded all the credits and stuff so that I could make some money before moving to New York. And so I worked all day my second semester senior year, I worked all day as the auditions coordinator for the School of Music Theater and Dance at the University of Michigan. It was like a big boy job, like, like I had worked work study throughout there and just sort of done like admin stuff. But they interviewed me. And then, you know, of course, like this typical, like actor thing where they're like, how familiar are you with like Excel and like these things?

And you're like, I can figure it out, you know, like FileMaker Pro, like it doesn't sound too, you know, and of course, it is like intense. And so I mean, thousands of applicants, even just the musical theater program, right? It's like thousands of applicants, let alone the like, graduate programs for, you know, violin pedagogy and stuff. I mean, stuff that I just had no idea, you know, and it actually it did. It was a lot of like, web design stuff, because a lot of the professors, they were converting to like pre-screen videos and all this stuff. And a lot of the professors were like, I don't know how to use this. So it was making these like rinky dink little websites that they could go on and like, click through and find the, you know, like the pre-screens to watch.

And there's a lot of sitting with like, folks who, you know, are like music theorists teaching them how to like, you know, access like a private YouTube video and unlisted video or something. So it was a lot of that. And then in the evenings, while I was working that job, I directed Rent at a high school. And it was like, it was very cool. It's like a big cast. It was a Pioneer High School, they have a bunch of Grammys for their music department. I mean, it's like a very well funded sort of community. It's right by the university, of course, but they have, they cast folks from high schools all over the Ann Arbor area. So it's like a big, it reminded me of the children's theater that I grew up doing, like it was a big communal thing where people from all over were sort of gathering to do shows there.

And I had just done a student production of Rent at Michigan this semester before. So it's like fresh in my mind. So I went in to direct it. And that was a trip. Like, it takes you back. Like, I mean, I don't know if y'all did like high school theater or anything, but like, it really took me back to being like, Oh, man, like, we were just insufferable. Like, you know, it's like, it was, it was rewarding and amazing. But also like, y'all, you can't bring your phones on stage. Like, you know, it's just like,

[18:08] Ryan Vasquez: But also the high school musicals are so cutthroat. I still have trauma from like, the cast lists going up in my high school. And like the cattiness of like, people, my understudy trying to take my shows. And I'm like, you're not having any shows.

[18:22] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, of course. There was a there was a girl who was in a who was at another high school who was like, this is also the silly thing, like, who was like, supposed to do Rent. So it was like, she will have her show for sure audition, like she's supposed to do it. And then, like, didn't come to audition because she was like, busy being a high school student. And there was like, such drama. I don't even remember who she was like her name, or I never even met her. But it was like, Oh, I can't believe like, she was our blah, blah, blah, like, whatever role she was like, slated to play. It's like, this is high school y'all. Like, it's not like the offer is falling through. Like, it's so absurd.

[18:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: It really is. It seems like we've lost Jason. But I think it was the story about Rent. It was the high school musical theater trauma.

[19:04] Jason A. Coombs: Ryan, the high school drama took you out.

[19:06] Ryan Vasquez: You had to take a moment, take a breath.

[19:11] Jason A. Coombs: My computer froze. I don't know what's going on today with us.

[19:14] Samantha Tuozzolo: Welcome back. Welcome back.

[19:17] Jason A. Coombs: Sorry.

[19:18] Samantha Tuozzolo: Welcome back, Jay. We missed you. Are you okay?

[19:22] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, my computer keeps freezing. So sorry.

[19:25] Ryan Vasquez: Ryan, you're just experiencing all the technical difficulties. I promise this never happens. Not never. Not like, not like both of us in one episode.

[19:34] Jason A. Coombs: We're in we're in a post like we're all married to our technology to the point where like the fact that you feel like you have to personally apologize for a computer freezing is like a whole other podcast. It's like y'all like, please, like, we're good.

[19:47] Ryan Vasquez: I'm so sorry that my audio wasn't connected because I personally made it.

[19:52] Jason A. Coombs: Exactly.

[19:53] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh my gosh.

[19:55] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. All right. Awesome. Well, let's let's let's go to Hamilton. You know, one of the most groundbreaking musicals of all time. And we were doing our research and we found out that you portrayed all of the male lead characters.

[20:11] Ryan Vasquez: What's that? Yeah. Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, August Mulligan.

[20:18] Jason A. Coombs: Like bonkers. Like bonkers. Oh my god, lit with your Hamilton cup in my lawn.

[20:25] Ryan Vasquez: My concessions cup from probably the one time I saw it before I performed it over 1000 times. About Yeah, yeah, I did it on the road for for a year. We like began that production all together. So it's very cool. Like, you know, six weeks of rehearsal, like all together in the room, you had folks who had done it before, like in Chicago companies, or Broadway or different things as like, Emmy Lampman was doing our was Angelica, and she had done the original company and the ensemble. So like, there were folks who were familiar with it. Josh Henry just did the run as Burr in Chicago. And so he came and was like, polished and ready. And then you had folks who had like, never seen or done the show before who were coming in.

So we all kind of got on the same page there. We did a year run. It was five months, San Francisco, five months, LA. And I'm from the Bay Area. I'm from San Jose, right outside of San Francisco. So that was like surreal to be able to perform in like have family come and friends from high school and stuff. And all those people who were like, you know, you're doing what when I left my, you know, high school to go study musical theater. And I was like, See y'all like it's cool. And the biggest hit of all time. Yeah, I promise you'll enjoy it. And then after that, like such such as life with these like big, you know, companies with multiple companies all around the world. They had a spot open up on Broadway, and brought me there like a month after my contract was done on tour.

So I got a little break went to start the Broadway company and I was there until the shutdown. So yeah, I was in the ensemble initially covering Hamilton burr and George Washington and then they moved me off stage as a standby and picked up Lafayette and and Mulligan. And yeah, I mean, surreal experience like it's it's a it's seeing the impact like it. I'm I'm really thankful to have been in some shows where like you can really see the impact on people like leaving the theater. It's it's like, it is genuinely profound. And so and that's like why we get into it, of course like that and like, you know, overactive imagination and all of that. But like, I do think that, you know, like being able to to experience that, again, like in a group of like 1000 people, like, we don't get to experience that all that much, you know, it's like the concerts and things like that. I mean, this is this is a unique thing that we do. And, and I'm really grateful to experience some like really cool ways to have experienced it.

[25:06] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love that. So this might be a stupid question, but did you have a favorite favorite role in the show?

[25:10] Ryan Vasquez: Of course. Oh, not at all. Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. Hamilton. I always joke like I Hamilton is, of course, like, you know, it's it's like paid therapy. I always joke like you go through like every single conceivable human emotion or situation like in a three hour span. And it feels at the end like you're like, I'm exhausted and empty. But in that way, where like, if you have like a workout or something where you're like spent, but you feel good, like the the, you know, your endorphins are really like pumping and even like the sad parts. It's like this catharsis. It's really intense and but but feels good. And so, um, yeah, I mean, I think like, it's funny, like the favorite role, honestly, the, the favorite role that I had in the show was like being a standby, which I think was is overlooked a lot.

But like, it was really cool to, I mean, I knew for a long time, I did Hamilton on Sundays. So like, I knew I would be at the end of the week, I'd be going on as Hamilton. But before that, it was like, any day could be a totally different thing and often was and sometimes it was planned. And sometimes it was not, you know, I played Hamilton for a few months, like, like as a stint for a while. And while I was doing that, I, there was like a sort of sick plus vacation, you know, perfect storm thing. And they had me do Lafayette for like one day, because they only had the coverage that had to put somebody on as Hamilton or whatever. It's like, it's always kind of like that. And then these big shows on Broadway.

I mean, I made my Broadway debut in Wicked, like, you know, years and years ago, like 2015, I think and, and my first show, I got out there ready to do the show. I was so nervous. And somebody walked on who I had never seen. And his name is Ryan also. And he walked on and he like gets ready to do the thing in the little clump. And everyone's like, Ryan's here. And I was like, Okay, girl, like, they know who I am, whatever. They did. It was like, it was Ryan Kelly, who had done Wicked for like 15 years. And he was like, they were like, Ryan's back. I was like back. So yeah, it's a, it's a, it's always like, it's like all hands on deck all the time, which is like what I love about what we do. It's like such a community. It's very cool.

[25:57] Ryan Vasquez: My daughter knows every word to Hamilton. I'm like, does she? I promise I do too, honey.

[26:07] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let's throw down then this thing. Yeah.

[26:11] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah. On the street, like on 46th street.

[26:14] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[26:16] Jason A. Coombs: Well, thank you for chatting about Hamilton. There was no way we could, you know, have you on our show and not talk about you slipping into all of those roles. So thank you for elaborating. Okay. I know we've, I've already told you, I cried the whole time during Notebook, but your Noah is so beautifully, like heartbreaking because we first see you and you're just like built this home sad, like waiting. And then, you know, the love comes and then it's heartbreaking again because we know what's going to come. You're singing these beautiful songs by icon Ingrid Michaelson. So for you, what's been the most rewarding part about being Middle Noah and what's the most challenging?

[27:04] Ryan Vasquez: Cool. Cool. Yeah. I mean, most rewarding, I think is being able to share, I guess like they're kind of the same answer. Like, like rewarding and challenging is doing this unique thing where we share a role with two other actors that are like sharing like a person and an identity, you know, but, but also managing to find like our own individuality in it. So in terms of, you know, as an actor, like we're often like, okay, I'm, I'm, I'm, you're in kind of like a silo. A lot of the time you're like, okay, I'm, I'm creating this person. No one knows this person as well as me. Right. It's like, I'm like making this role. And, and I mean, I have teachers who are like, what's your secret as an actor?

Right. Like all these, these, these actors have a secret about their role that only they know. And it's a nice thing like behind your eyes to kind of use, but in our show, because we're sharing this, this person amongst three people and for what it's worth, like it really it brings into focus the fact that when you develop a show over time, I mean, I've been working on the show since 2020, since before the pandemic. And like, there are people imbued into these roles that are, I mean, are literally gone. Like, I mean, John Beasley who played older Noah in Chicago passed away after the run. And like, you have people who had done readings years and years ago. I mean, there are so many people in the DNA of this piece that you, it, it brought into focus for me and then doing it with the two other actors.

Like we're really like doing this by committee, like creating the show in community. I mean, it's reflected in the creative team. We have two directors, which I'm so thankful for. I think that that's a really nice precedent for sort of like deconstructing a, a scary sort of hierarchy. Sometimes we're like one person kind of calls every shot and it just really, it, it brought us into a more communal space. So that was like the best part about it, but it's also a challenge because, you know, I, I saw things in the show that I was like, Oh, this is perfect for my section of Noah, you know, to play this beat or this attitude on this thing. And, and a lot of the time after watching Dorian or John, I would, I would kind of say like, Oh man, I'm not really sure that this does fit.

Like you sort of have to humble yourself and move into like, like fit the, the, the mold that not is, it's not given to you by the movie or the book or anything, but by our piece and our community, you know? So, so it's, it's a rewarding challenge like to, to build by committee and like build in a group, which is rare and, and is really cool. And I hope I got the opportunity to do something like that again. It's very cool.

[29:50] Samantha Tuozzolo: It really was so crazy because sometimes you guys would like be moving together and I'm like, and the facial expressions, it's like, it was so beautiful. But did, were you, were you like a Notebook fan before you booked this job? Did you see the film?

[30:04] Ryan Vasquez: I saw them. Yeah. So I saw the movie in 2004. Like I saw it in theaters and I was pretty young, so it went over my head, but I remember we went with like a group of a show we were doing at the time. And I remember our choreographer, who's a little older than me, like sobbing. And I was like, what is going on? I'm like, I just like, I just didn't, you know, I didn't get like human emotion at the time, you know, I was just like, oh wow, like this is affecting people for some reason. But it's funny, like then years go by and these things that are in the zeitgeist, like become kind of like meme-ified almost, like The Notebook is now like reduced online to like, you know, tears and kissing in the rain, right?

Like, that's like the only thing that it's kind of like, you know, and it's funny because then, you know, I remember getting the job and like sitting down and thinking like, oh, it's going to be about this, this love lost and, and, and this heart wrenching romantic thing. And, and then you read it and you see it and you're like, oh no, this is actually just about like humanity. It's like two people just going through a whole life. And of course they do spend it together. And like, we all spend our life with other people. I mean, I mean, none of us hopefully are just completely isolated. So, you know, it's like, it's more about that human experience and like two people who are, are they, they come together and one of them shows up, persists over and over and over to the point where then when Ali loses her memory of all of those times that he showed up for her, he brings her back to that moment and like regrounds her.

And whether it's like a romance or a friend or a family member or anything, or like a pet, honestly, like we all experience that love of people, like grounding us and, and, you know, reminding us of our priorities and what's important. And so that to me is much more what the show's about rather than like, will they, won't they, you know? And I think what's cool about our show is that there's no, you know, in the, in the movie, of course, it's a reveal that the older couple that's been telling the story is the couple you've been watching, you know? And I think because people are so familiar with the source material, they're like, let's not do that. I mean, people are going to know, a lot of people are going to know, super smart.

And, and it really reframes the thing as like, okay, if you know, and it's not a like, will they end up together? You know that they do, then what is the show about? How can it exist? And it's the beauty in it is, is the telling of the story rather than like the, you know, the gotcha, like moment at the end. So.

[32:37] Samantha Tuozzolo: Wow. Wow. I love that so much. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for sharing that. I mean, if y'all just heard that and y'all didn't buy your tickets yet, like what are you waiting for? Like, come on. No, but okay. So do you have a favorite moment in the show? Like either yourself in your character or like maybe watching? Cause you guys are on stage a lot, right?

[32:57] Ryan Vasquez: Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All these spoilers, you know?

[33:01] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh no, no, of course. I mean, I mean the moment, I mean, just frankly, like watching Marianne and Dorian do anything, the older couple is just like an education, like truly. I mean, just to, just to like behold that is, is very special. And, and I thought it would wear off, but you know, like we, we just did the album listening party on Sunday and we were, you know, we were all sitting there listening and it's really emotional. And, and, you know, it was interesting. Like I was talking to Marianne afterward and, and Yasmin, a couple of other people, I was like, it's, it's really something that we have been in a space together and lost our collective, like emotional minds, like many, many, many times.

I mean, our, our first read through with the, the Broadway company, there's a lot of new folks in the company and they were like, Oh, we're so excited to hear it. And they like have their little coffees and bagels and like, they're all chipper. And they're like, it's going to be so fun. And I was like, I'm not trying to be this person y'all, but like, it's, you're about to go on a serious ride. Like you're already going to be so grateful to be here. It's already going to be emotionally overwhelming, but like this, this show is like something else emotionally. So like, just like, I, I just settle in and like, but you don't want to tell people that. So you're just like, yeah, have fun y'all. Like enjoy, I'll see you at the end.

And like, you look over and people are, you know, it's, it's, it's very special. So yeah, to be able to, to like, sort of tap into that every once in a while and just watch them, especially that last scene where she finally recognizes him and they speak, I mean like, it's just like beyond. And in terms of like performing, I love the scene that Joy and I have in the kitchen. Like when we get into the kitchen in the beginning of the second, it's like, it's beautifully awkward. It's so funny. Like it's funny and like sort of this like tragic, like hilarious way. And it's, it's cool because again, like we're letting the audience, a lot of the audience already knows. And I mean, we, we say it in our show right up front that like, they are the older folks who are telling the story.

So it's not that the audience is waiting, like, Oh, like, are they going to kiss? Are they going to end up, you kind of know it, it has that Hamilton feel of like the inevitability of the end. And you have to, you have to go so far into the reality of the moment that the audience kind of loses touch for a second of the fact that they know what's going to happen. And there's a moment where I walk toward Joy and she says, I'm engaged and like stops me from walking. And we just kind of have this like stalled moment. There's always an audience of like, Oh man, like, and it's like, y'all know she's engaged. Yeah. You know, it's like, you know, she is. And you know that, that there, that it's going to get broken down and they're going to talk about it anyway. But that that's so gratifying of like, yes, see, like you're, you're along for the ride in the present moment as well, which is, which is super cool.

[35:54] Samantha Tuozzolo: I just want to say what you said about the new, the new cast coming in with their bagels and their coffees, like ready. That is kind of how I went into the show. I'm like, I know this story. I know what's going to happen. Like I know some of the music, everyone's like, Oh my God, you're going to lose your mind. You're going to cry. I'm like, I'm not going to cry. Like I know what's going on, but it's just, it's uncontrollable because I think the combination of the music, the performances, the staging is so gorgeous. And so it was such an emotional part for me as well.

[36:26] Ryan Vasquez: So I just wanted to say, same, I am the new cast coming in, like, yeah, there was a lot of moments that were funny. That were really funny. And it had brought a lot of like, like, you know, like a nice little levity to it. So I wasn't crying the whole time. Right. It's like, Oh yeah. I know. I was just trying to be so bad at that. I would try to make it as low as possible, but it's a communal experience, but that's interesting what you say about the humor and stuff too. It's like the show, I think, again, it's like this like meme culture of stuff. Like people come in expecting one thing, this sort of like sugary sweet like thing. And it's, it's really not that. And, and, and all, and in terms of the tears, I mean, like, yes, it, it, people are crying myself included every time, but not all tears are sad.

Like that's, that's such a thing. I'm like continuing to beat that drum. It's like the, yes, of course there is sadness, but would you say that most of the tears you shed were because it was just deeply sad? I mean, I saw Dear Days of Wine and Roses and like, I shed some tears there and I was like, that was just like relentlessly sad and it was beautifully performed. This isn't a dig at the show, but like that's why I was moved in that show. This I'm moved, you know, I cry every night when Marianne like stands up and she's like, I want to dance. I'm like, that's not sad. And she's like, I want to dance. It's so adorable. And to watch older folks like flirt and have that type of spark and connection and it's something you see all the time.

And you're like, oh man, it makes me emotional. Cause it's like, it's, it's you're reflecting on your life and it's wistful and it's joyous and it's beautiful. It's, it's not this like sad, like you're, you're at the bottom of your, of your barrel at the end, you know, it's like you're uplifted. It's beautiful. And, and yeah, 99% of the, the, the tears I've shed over the last like four years of doing the show have been, have had nothing to do with being devastated. Like it's, it's been, it's been because it's so sweet in my heart. It's like the Grinch, right? Like it's like the growing of the sizes or whatever. And it's like bursting out. That's like why I moved, you know? So I think that's very cool too.

Cause people are moved, but I don't think it's because they're like, they're, they're down, you know, it's like, it's almost like you're saying it's just that connection and that, that's soulfulness. It's, it's such a beautiful show. I was so honored. I got to see it like seriously grateful. Yeah.

[38:55] Ryan Vasquez: Do you just want to give a quick shout out to Carson Stewart? Because I was his theater teacher.

[39:01] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh, cool.

[39:02] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah.

[39:03] Jason A. Coombs: Oh, no way.

[39:04] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, I was his theater teacher for a while.

[39:08] Samantha Tuozzolo: In Connecticut or Northeast?

[39:10] Ryan Vasquez: Connecticut. Yeah, yeah. Connecticut. I think he's, I don't know if he's from Norwalk or one of the surrounding towns, but we did a community children's theater and I definitely was his teacher. So it was really cool to see him.

[39:21] Jason A. Coombs: Well, you nailed it. He is so great and funny. He also has like a sweet spirit about him that really grounds the thing. It's like, yeah, no one is one-dimensional, which is just like, it's such a relief.

[39:36] Ryan Vasquez: I feel like we could sit here for hours just having a huge love fest about this show and like all the performances and yours. So thank you for everything you shared with us.

[39:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: So you've been, obviously, we talked about you being in Hamilton, you've been with this show for four years, you were in Wicked, you've made your rounds, you are, you know, booked and blessed. And you're in this industry. But we know the industry has its ups and downs. And being an artist is not always, you know, the glamorous side of it. So why do you continue to choose to be an artist?

[40:11] Ryan Vasquez: You know, the pandemic really stretched that for me. Because one, I mean, it felt like impossible, of course, like it felt like there were times where it was never going to come back. And then you started hearing this narrative sort of bubble up about, you know, that we were going to come back and live theater was going to come back because it's always existed, whether it's like campfire stories, all the way to this, like, fully developed thing with, you know, like, hundreds of people working on a show, you know, the rain moment in The Notebook is such an example of that. I mean, like, it takes so many people to make something like that work. And you think about, you know, like, centuries ago, when people are just sort of like, putting on a some little boy is putting on a wig and being Juliet for William Shakespeare's audiences, you know, and it's like, and now it's like, it's this fully realized suspension of disbelief and this beautiful thing.

And, and as I thought more and more about that, I'm like, okay, so then what is it about this that's enduring? And like, you know, I've done a lot of like political organizing in my life too. And the big thing when that you tell people when you get new organizers in is like, you know, organizing is storytelling, and like, everything is storytelling, like everything is, it starts with like a kernel of connection about sharing something with yourself and like sharing something vulnerable. And, you know, I think that the impact of live theater being able having that taken away, and then being able to come back and experience like, here we are 1000 people in a room that the sniffling and the crying used to kind of make me like giggle before I got over myself and allowed to myself to sort of be vulnerable and like hold that space for the audience.

And there have been times where people have really like genuinely been like losing it. I mean, like one or one or two people in the audience who are having an experience that's like, deeper than watching a show clearly. And, and it's been amazing. I think it's a testament to our show and the writing and the people involved in everything. Like, there's never any like nervous laughter, like people come and they hold space by the end people are holding space for people to have this, this impactful experience. And like, that's what changes people, you know, like, I'm a big believer, of course, that like public policy changes things and that like, and social movements and all of this, but like social movements are narratives to our stories, too.

And so our the way that we're telling the story, like with the people on stage with the music, moving people and the performances and the writing and everything like people are walking out changed. And that's more impactful than any like, push or like, text bank or anything, you know, it's like these, these things that that rock our core, like we walk out changed. And I've seen it in everything I've done, like, I've seen it in Wicked and Waitress and Hamilton and now The Notebook and the show The Wrong Man that I did off Broadway that was about the criminal justice system and like, and all of like the, the, the organizational sort of, you know, the talkbacks and these things like you see, you get feedback and you get to experience this as a community.

And so I just really believe in the power of it. Like I really do. And, and having it having had it taken away and seeing how the world in our country like really suffered during that time because of a lack of being able to commune and like connect. And now we're able to do it again. And, and it's just like made so much clearer for me, like, like we're, we're doing a good thing. So.

[43:49] Samantha Tuozzolo: Ryan, you're like inspiring me. I feel like I need to get up and go do something.

[43:55] Ryan Vasquez: Hell yeah, hell yeah.

[43:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: I need to do something here, but, you know.

[43:59] Jason A. Coombs: No, I agree with that. Cause I, I remember I was reading your bio and I saw like closer to the end, it was like, oh, community organizer. So I was doing a little bit of digging. And I think that's so true. You know, I, I started, as people know, I started a film fest in my hometown because I was like, what can I do to bring more joy and art and connection to my community that really needed it. Right. And I was like, oh, I'm going to be Oprah one day and I'm going to come back to my hometown. But, you know, I'm in my thirties, haven't reached there yet, but like, you know, doing a film festival or like something like that, where it's like storytelling and it's art and it's culture and it's, it's humanity is, is, is really important. So I think that what you said is the truth and you're a preacher, you're preaching today.

[44:37] Ryan Vasquez: No, totally. I did this metaphor. I love it. It's like taken from an Adrian Marie Brown thing, but like the, the idea that, you know, you throw like a pebble into a pond and you see these tiny ripples, but then like, it's making waves somewhere that like, you're never, ever going to see. And like, whatever, whatever conversation is happening on the drive home to wherever, you know, after The Notebook and then they talk to somebody else and they're, they're dealing with a parent who's maybe dealing with something like similar to what's going on in the show, or maybe they're not. And it's just a reflecting on a life. I mean, like you're never even going to see the, the biggest impacts of it. And I, I think that's just like, that's so profound. Like, I mean, genuinely. So yeah, thank you.

[45:16] Samantha Tuozzolo: Art changes lives. Yeah. So speaking of art changing lives, is there anything else right now? I know you're busy with eight shows a week, but is there anything other, like any other, like a movie or a TV show you've seen recently, a book you've watched that's been feeding your soul artistically, another show you've snuck away to?

[45:34] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah. I mean, okay. I have to say it's, it's, it's not exactly feeding my soul artistically, but have y'all watched, have y'all watched The Traitors?

[45:44] Samantha Tuozzolo: No, but everybody, everybody, everybody is like talking about it is, is about The Traitors.

[45:48] Ryan Vasquez: So, so for those who don't know The Traitors, it's on Peacock. It's like a big game of mafia or werewolf or any of these games that you might've played where there's like some secret killers who like in the night are tapping people and those people are dying and the rest of the people are trying to guess who those killers are, who the traitors are. And there's a couple of US seasons, UK, Australia, New Zealand. I've seen it all, honey. Like I've, I've been out here watching logging my traders hours and so much so that we started a traders game in our building at The Notebook. There's 40 people who started playing, caught their first trader already, but there's still a couple at large. There's about 20 people left.

We vote in between shows on two show days. There's shield challenges to like get immunity every in between shows. It's everything from like, go take a picture with something in midtown. So people like racing to do it, to be the first, to guessing like random details about my life, like streets I lived on number between one and a hundred million, these like silly little things, but it's gotten, you know, I thought maybe like 10 people would play, you know, but actually everything from like the, the people on the crew to people, the musicians, the cast management. I mean like every wardrobe folks all over the building are now like talking to each other, like figuring out, you know, who the traders are, like who they think, oh, I saw this person say this to this person, this person's voting this way, whatever.

And it's brought the building together in this like insane way, especially during like an insane time. It's like 15 shows opening on Broadway. Everyone's scared for their jobs. Like, it's just like brutal, man. Like it's, it's, it's amazing. And it's a renaissance of things, but like capitalism looms, you know, and it's just like, it's hard to like be at peace and it's, it's just been the most like incredible it's, it's monopolizing every thought I have. It doesn't have to do with the show. Like I go to bed and like wake up in the night and I'm like, that'd be a perfect challenge for immunity. Like I'm not even kidding. There's a website that's like a hub that we have. We have like a private Instagram where we post obituaries. Like it's like a whole thing.

[47:51] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, it is. It literally is. And to the point where like, so one of the guys on the, on the US version, this guy Pilot Pete, he was a bachelor contestant, I guess. I don't know this man, like, but he was at Miscast, the concert MCC does like the other day. And I was like, I was like, that's Pete, like from The Traitors. And, and Joy and I were there and like, he like walked out of the press line. I was like, my dude, like I have to stop you. Like we're, we're doing like The Traitors at work. I'm in The Notebook on Broadway, whatever. He like lit up. He was like, Oh, no way. Like, he was like, it was such a fun time. I was like showing him the website, like showing him the thing. He's like, I can't believe you guys are doing this. Like, so it's the culture. And like, I just like, I can't get enough of The Traitors. And Alan Cumming hosts the US one and the outfits alone are what I'm watching for.

[48:37] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes. Wow, that's amazing. I am so here for it that you guys are like doing this in the show.

[48:44] Ryan Vasquez: My soul.

[48:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: Good. I'm like, can I come play in between shows? Do you need like,

[48:50] Ryan Vasquez: Well, the big reveal, but by the time this comes out, it may have already happened. But the big reveal is that we're going to add Ingrid as a player. Late, late, late in the season of the real game. They've brought people in late. And there's this whole thing because it's like, oh, they're added later. They are faithful. Are they a traitor? Like we don't know whatever. And Ingrid watches the show and loves it. We have a few creatives who love it. And so we're like, I'm working out how to how to add them in. And I think that will be a hilarious wrench in the whole thing.

[49:19] Jason A. Coombs: But yes, it's Yeah, it's real. It's real.

[49:22] Samantha Tuozzolo: No fun. I love that. Oh, cool. Now I need to go watch The Traitors. Right? It is so great. There's too much. I'm just over here. We're watching Grey's Anatomy because I just want to torture myself.

[49:33] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, we all have that thing. Yeah, we all have that.

[49:36] Samantha Tuozzolo: Ryan, thank you so much. This has been such a great interview. We have one more question. And then we always end with a fun game. So I hope you brought your competitive pants. This is a two parter. First parter is why do you we're going to bring it back to survival jobs while we're here in the first place. Why do you think it's important for artists and any of any kind to have a survival job, whether before they're succeeding in their art in between whenever? And do you have any advice for anyone stuck in a survival job that wants to be at the peak of their art?

[50:13] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, I mean, so I mean, first of all, like, and I'm sure y'all get this answer a lot. But like, it's important for actors to be people and not like acting robots. And so, you know, I'm, I find that, you know, even in putting together The Notebook, like, there's so much of it that I just personally was like, this line or this thing is like rubbing up against me funny. And I just think like, could we say it in this tiny different way? And what I'm really proud of is like, I've worked on the show for a long time. And like, you know, I did these other shows out of town, I did The Outsiders and Water for Elephants both out of town before they came in. And like, those processes to were kind of, you know, the, the outsiders, it's like a specific thing, like, it's in Tulsa, like, I'm from California, like, it's just not me.

And it doesn't mean that as an actor, you can't embody it. But like, there's just something like beautiful about the fact that we crafted this thing to where I feel natural in it. And it's because I get to use the breadth of my whole being like, I'm a deeply feeling person, I, I have like a, my sense of humor is like my kind of like number one sort of barometer for my friends and everything like it's like, I and I get to to expand and take up my whole space. And I'm not like, cutting myself short being like, Oh, but this character would this. And so I think like, whether it's a survival job, or like, just a hobby, I mean, like, I'm into so much weird stuff. And like, that makes me who I am. And you're able to bring who you are to roles. And, you know, I worked as a reader, actually at a couple casting companies for a long

[52:54] Ryan Vasquez: If they make a mistake, it's not like this, like, oh, straighten the spine, like, I'll move through it. You know, they're just, they become themselves in that moment. They're like, oh, you know, my bad. Or like, you know, even, I know it's not great, but like, as people, sometimes you make a mistake and you like, you cuss or like something, you know, it's like, and you think, oh, I would never want to do that. But it's like, it's at least showing who you are. Like, you know, you go in and you at least can show a little bit of yourself. And, you know, when I got Waitress, it was because of a mistake I made in the room. Like, it was because I like, went up on the lines for a second. I kind of fumbled through it.

And, and Bernie Telsey was like, oh, very Dr. Pomatter of you. It's like, because I was able to just kind of like, show my weird eccentricity in that moment, you know, and so in terms of like, why it's important, I just think it's, it's important to be a full person. And those experiences are giving you that and in terms of, of, you know, what, how you can kind of like, keep pushing, maybe if it's feeling like you're stagnant, whatever survival job you have, whatever hobby you have, even on a, on a walk to the store, like there's always a way to make things creative. And I think like, during the pandemic, you know, I did so much survival work that was like, talking on Zoom, doing, you know, and I set up a whole thing here at this desk where like, I have a piano under, a keyboard under me, you know, I gave like, concerts for sometimes like, birthday parties for like, four or five people, but it was like, anything to remain creative.

Because I think if it, if the survival job time feels like you're biding time to the next time you, you can be creative, you're just kind of like, dying on the vine creatively in that time, where if you can at least like, water yourself during that, like, there are ways to be creative working at a restaurant, there are ways to be creative, walking down the street, I mean, genuinely. So, so just always make sure you're like, feeding that part of you, I guess, is the advice I would give. And it's not easy, you know, there are things that are soul sucking, of course, but like, if you can sort of be the, the little sprout, like growing out of the rock, you know, like, that's a, that'll help, it'll go a long way.

[55:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: I love when you just said water yourself, you have to, you have to, in order to keep it going. Well, again, thank you so much. This has been lovely. This has been a lovely chat. Everybody go see The Notebook. Okay, like I said, we're going to play a quick game. We have three questions and a bonus. Since The Notebook was originally a book, and then adapted into a movie and then a musical, we're going to give you trivia of books that have been adapted into either a musical or a play. And let's see if you know what the, what the book into a musical or play is.

[55:48] Ryan Vasquez: What did I call this book to play?

[55:55] Samantha Tuozzolo: Broadway, that's a good title.

[55:56] Ryan Vasquez: Books into a Broadway. Thank you, I was not looking at the sheet. Books into Broadway, it's good. I had my cheat sheet open.

[56:05] Samantha Tuozzolo: Okay, question one. This award-winning graphic memoir takes us through Alison Bechdel's discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the mysteries. The musical went on to win 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Name that musical, book into a musical.

[56:26] Ryan Vasquez: It won 12 Tonys?

[56:28] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yes.

[56:29] Ryan Vasquez: That's nutty. You know what's funny? One of our guys who works on the crew at The Notebook worked on Fun Home, which is the answer.

[56:38] Samantha Tuozzolo: Which is the episode.

[56:40] Ryan Vasquez: And he's like, I mean, just shows the power of theater, right? It's just like, this like, just dude's dude who's like, talks about Fun Home and like, gets teary. Like, he's just like, I miss that so much. Like, I miss it every day. Like, where's the merch and stuff? John Martinez, was recently killed by the traitors, unfortunately. So rest in peace.

[56:59] Samantha Tuozzolo: But yes, John Martinez. He loves Fun Home. And so do I. And so do I. I was so moved by that show. I love that he's showing up in the merch still.

[57:08] Ryan Vasquez: Oh, yeah.

[57:10] Samantha Tuozzolo: Come on, John Martinez.

[57:12] Ryan Vasquez: All right. One for one. Question two. Go ahead, Jay.

[57:14] Jason A. Coombs: Hey. This musical was based on Stephen King's novel and a movie adaptation of the same name. The story focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers. Unfortunately, the Broadway run closed after 16 previews and five performances. Name that musical.

[57:32] Ryan Vasquez: A Stephen King novel?

[57:35] Jason A. Coombs: Yes. It's a one word.

[57:38] Ryan Vasquez: This I do not know.

[57:39] Jason A. Coombs: You know. Let's give you a clue. The name is the same name as the lead in Sex and the City.

[57:49] Ryan Vasquez: That's a good clue.

[57:51] Jason A. Coombs: That's a real good clue.

[57:52] Ryan Vasquez: As the lead?

[57:54] Jason A. Coombs: Like the main character in Sex and the City has the same first name as the entire name of this musical.

[58:01] Ryan Vasquez: Samantha?

[58:05] Jason A. Coombs: You're seeing a huge cultural blind spot for me.

[58:08] Ryan Vasquez: Wait. No, I do not. I do not know this.

[58:10] Jason A. Coombs: One more.

[58:11] Ryan Vasquez: Or I'm going to be like, oh.

[58:13] Jason A. Coombs: At a prom, there might have been some.

[58:17] Ryan Vasquez: Okay. Of course.

[58:18] Jason A. Coombs: Of course.

[58:21] Ryan Vasquez: Carrie is actually a huge blind spot for me.

[58:24] Jason A. Coombs: I don't really know it well.

[58:26] Ryan Vasquez: I mean, I know that it's like this cult following and this thing, but yeah, like it's done. You know, these shows that like kind of circle around like your communities and stuff. And it's like, yeah, like I've never been in Into the Woods or like, I've never been in these things that people are like, of course you've been in whatever. And like Carrie is one all the time. People will sing it. And I'm just like, I don't know. I'm like, of course, Carrie.

[58:50] Jason A. Coombs: Oh my God. My friends are going to kill me for that.

[58:53] Ryan Vasquez: You're like the Mariah Carey gift. You're like, I don't know. Like, unfortunately?

[58:57] Jason A. Coombs: Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. By the way, the lead in Sex and the City is Carrie Bradshaw.

[59:03] Ryan Vasquez: Of course.

[59:03] Jason A. Coombs: Not Samantha.

[59:04] Ryan Vasquez: People just say, I'm a Samantha or whatever. And I'm like, I guess that's it. And you're probably confused because I'm Samantha.

[59:09] Jason A. Coombs: So you're just confused.

[59:09] Ryan Vasquez: Yes, that was wild. There's a lot of Samantha going on.

[59:12] Jason A. Coombs: Blinded by the light.

[59:13] Ryan Vasquez: Blinded by the Samantha of it all.

[59:16] Jason A. Coombs: Okay, I'm going to get above 50% here.

[59:18] Ryan Vasquez: You still got the point. I mean, we didn't tell you the answer.

[59:21] Jason A. Coombs: You guessed it with the clues.

[59:23] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, I'm a big game person. So I like to take my L's when I deserve them. We have one more question and then a bonus. And I think you'll get the bonus, but who knows? Next question. This novel turned play about an autistic teenage boy first premiered in London in 2012. The play won Best Play at the 2015 Tony Awards and has received critical acclaim. Name that play.

[59:47] Ryan Vasquez: Curious Incident.

[59:49] Jason A. Coombs: Wow, I loved that play.

[59:54] Ryan Vasquez: I loved it. The design, everything so genius.

[59:58] Jason A. Coombs: Was it Alex Sharpe was the lead in that?

[1:00:00] Ryan Vasquez: The original, whoever it was, he was cooking. And yeah, that was, I love that play.

[1:00:08] Jason A. Coombs: We're watering ourselves and we're cooking.

[1:00:10] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, yes, yes, exactly. Love a metaphor, honey. We have a bonus that you don't need, but take it away, Jay.

[1:00:17] Jason A. Coombs: Okay. This 1818 page biography inspired the composer and lyricist to create the Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Grammy, Drama League and Edward M. Kennedy Prize winning musical. Name that musical.

[1:00:30] Ryan Vasquez: Rent.

[1:00:39] Jason A. Coombs: Next to Normal.

[1:00:42] Ryan Vasquez: Can you believe that he just read that on vacation and was like, I'm going to make a show out of this?

[1:00:46] Jason A. Coombs: It's truly out of control.

[1:00:47] Ryan Vasquez: So ridiculous. The whole lore of that show is so incredible.

[1:00:51] Jason A. Coombs: Hold on, tell us the answer.

[1:00:53] Ryan Vasquez: You have to say the answer to get the bonus.

[1:00:55] Jason A. Coombs: Hamilton, an American musical spectacular.

[1:00:57] Ryan Vasquez: Thank you.

[1:00:59] Jason A. Coombs: Old name.

[1:01:01] Ryan Vasquez: The show, the show, the game.

[1:01:03] Jason A. Coombs: You crushed the game.

[1:01:06] Ryan Vasquez: Oh my God, Violet is so good. Also, I meant to bring this up during the interview because I was reading and I was like, tick, tick, boom. And then I was like, oh my God, tick, tick, boom. You were great.

[1:01:17] Samantha Tuozzolo: Please, I was going to ask you about your dog. I don't know if you remember, I interviewed you on opening night at The Notebook and you talked about your dog. And I was like, where's that dog at?

[1:01:28] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, she's around. She's around. She's been napping, but she loves to, her name is Lemon. She is a narcissist and she loves to, her attention is her food. So she is, she's happy to be a part of the interview.

[1:01:47] Samantha Tuozzolo: Shout out to Lemon. What is, what is her breed?

[1:01:50] Ryan Vasquez: She's a Labradoodle.

[1:01:51] Samantha Tuozzolo: Yeah, but she's, she's smaller. She's like between like 25 and 30 pounds. So she's, she's New York size.

[1:01:56] Ryan Vasquez: She has to be careful.

[1:01:58] Samantha Tuozzolo: Be careful. I read that there's rats that could be harmful to the dogs. Just letting you know.

[1:02:04] Ryan Vasquez: Trust me. She has brawled a rat outside of my apartment before. And there was like a big line outside of her restaurant, outside of my apartment. And everybody was like, did you see that? I'm like, yes, I saw it. It's my dog on a leash, fighting a rat. Like, yes.

[1:02:15] Samantha Tuozzolo: Oh God.

[1:02:15] Ryan Vasquez: Oh my God, I was so amazed.

[1:02:16] Samantha Tuozzolo: Lemon, Lemon.

[1:02:18] Ryan Vasquez: She's so good. She's a city dog.

[1:02:21] Samantha Tuozzolo: She's a city girl.

[1:02:22] Ryan Vasquez: She's a city girl.

[1:02:24] Samantha Tuozzolo: For those who have just discovering you today, I don't know why, but they're just discovering you today. Can you just give your Instagram, your other social medias where people can follow you and support you and your organization? Do you want to name drop?

[1:02:35] Ryan Vasquez: Yeah, yeah. I'm on Instagram. It's Ryan Vasquez. The only social I use, pretty much. And yeah, I'm a big proponent of using those platforms for any sort of active anything. I'd be remiss if I didn't say the sort of political hobbyism of just like, rah, rah, rah, go my team is sort of exhausting. So I do tend to use that for real opportunities that you can actually like do something about something that you care about. So please, if you, you know, if you follow me, there's a fair amount of that. And also like funny memes and basketball and stuff like that.

[1:03:24] Samantha Tuozzolo: And if you're tuning in for the first time, because you're a Ryan fan, obviously, and you don't follow us yet, follow us at Survival Jobs pod on Instagram and Twitter and TikTok. I keep forgetting TikTok on Facebook at Survival Jobs, a podcast. Shoot us an email at Survival Jobs pod at gmail.com. Follow my boy Jason at Jason A. Coombs. Jason, you're never below. Follow me at Sammy Tuts. Ryan, you're amazing.

[1:03:48] Ryan Vasquez: Oh, everyone go see The Notebook. Run, run, run, run, run. Do not walk to that theater and bring your tissues.

[1:03:56] Samantha Tuozzolo: Or buy them there.

[1:03:57] Ryan Vasquez: Or buy them there.

[1:04:00] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thanks, Ryan.

[1:04:03] Ryan Vasquez: Thanks, y'all.

[1:04:04] Jason A. Coombs: Thank you.

[1:04:12] Samantha Tuozzolo: Thank you for listening to Survival Jobs, a podcast. If you like what you heard, please go like, subscribe and follow to our show on anywhere you get your podcasts. Go check out our YouTube channel. Give us a like, give us a share. We're trying to grow our following on YouTube. Check us out on TikTok, on Instagram, on all of the things. Give us likes, give us shares. Pass the word around, people. We love this show and we hope you do as well. Jason, what was your question?

[1:04:40] Jason A. Coombs: I was gonna say, are we taking over the social media landscape with Survival Jobs, a podcast?

[1:04:45] Samantha Tuozzolo: Well, you know, that's the goal.

[1:04:47] Jason A. Coombs: That's the goal, y'all. Thanks for your support. We love y'all.