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[0:00] Jess: Hello and welcome to this very special episode of Musicals with Cheese where I am joined by Michigan's own Eden Witvoet. Did I say it correctly?

[0:12] Eden Witvoet: Yes, yes. Eden, it's so great to have you here and currently you're in the national tour of Parade, Jason Robert Brown's first big musical. How are you doing today?

[0:24] Eden Witvoet: I'm doing well. I'm doing well. How are you?

[0:28] Jess: Quite well. How is the tour going so far for you guys?

[0:34] Eden Witvoet: It's been great. It's been awesome. It feels like we've been doing it for a really long time but we're just getting started and we've had wonderful audiences. It's been fun to see some new places. Yeah, it's been going really well.

[0:47] Jess: Is this your first national tour?

[0:53] Eden Witvoet: This is my first national tour, yes. Kind of my first national tour, first time swinging like this. It's been really cool.

[0:59] Jess: Now how many roles are you covering?

[1:06] Eden Witvoet: I'm covering five, so I cover all the factory girls as well as two adult ensemble women.

[1:11] Jess: That's insane and do you ever, how many times have you had to go on for those?

[1:17] Eden Witvoet: Oh man, I guess I don't know the exact number off the top of my head but we are, before we're going to be in Detroit next week which is very exciting. Right now we're in Cleveland and since we've been in Cleveland I've been able to debut three of my five tracks so I've now done all the factory girls probably like about five to seven times in total. But yeah, yeah, it's been great. It's been crazy but so awesome.

[1:35] Jess: That's so great. I'm sure it's a mess to keep all those lines and tracks in your head.

[1:40] Eden Witvoet: I would say with Love to Everyone Else you probably have the most difficult job of having all those things running around in your head and anytime it's like, oh no, that's not that person.

[1:46] Eden Witvoet: Yeah, it's weird. It's unlike any job I've ever had before but it is very rewarding and it's cool to prove to myself that no, I can do this and switch jump from track to track. It's an interesting exercise for sure.

[2:00] Jess: And as far as tours go, I know a lot of young actors and young people are like, my first tour, that's a big thing. Has it lived up to the hype that you've kind of made for yourself?

[2:14] Eden Witvoet: I think so, yeah. I think touring is something that I always said that I wanted to do and this just kind of seems like the perfect time to do it. And yeah, it's been great. We're going to a lot of really cool cities, a lot of places I've never been before which is fun. I am excited to come home to Michigan next week. Yeah, it's been cool. It's weird like we're living out of, I have two suitcases and a trunk and I've never done anything quite like that before.

[2:41] Eden Witvoet: But it has, it's been really cool and it's a really awesome group. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to be traveling with which I think also makes all the difference.

[2:56] Jess: Now let's dive back into your history. You're from Grand Rapids, right?

[2:59] Eden Witvoet: I am, yes. Born and raised.

[3:01] Jess: Oh my goodness. And then what's been your theatrical journey? How did you get into acting and decide like this is where I want to go and what my next steps?

[3:09] Eden Witvoet: Yeah, yeah. So I was raised in a house that was always full of music. Fun fact, I actually began performing when I was seven in a barbershop quartet and then kind of got into more of the theater world when I was in middle school and did a lot of community theater. The Grand Rapids Civic Theater is an amazing organization and I did shows there all the time. Really had some awesome mentors, voice teachers, piano teachers, acting teachers.

[3:34] Eden Witvoet: And then I went to college at Texas State University. So completely new place, very different.

[3:47] Jess: What made you decide to go to Texas State?

[3:53] Eden Witvoet: Oh man, so many things. They have an incredible, incredible program down there. The curriculum was exactly what I was looking for. The community there was exactly what I was looking for. And I think my experience there really lived up to all of my expectations. It was wonderful.

[4:11] Eden Witvoet: And then I moved to New York about a year and a half ago and I've kind of been there ever since.

[4:16] Jess: Now, Parade. Did you know about the musical? Was it one of your favorites or is it something that you've learned now since joining the company?

[4:22] Eden Witvoet: It was one that I was introduced to. I mean, I'd always heard of it, knew of it, but kind of sat down and really listened through the whole soundtrack and learned about it in college.

[4:38] Eden Witvoet: And then I was lucky enough to see the Broadway production when I was in town showcasing, actually. And so that was really cool. That was the first time I'd seen it fully staged. It's kind of surreal now to be in this production touring. It's kind of crazy how life works that way, I think. But yeah, it's become one of my favorites, for sure. It's really special.

[5:04] Jess: Yeah, these songs are going to be ingrained in you forever. Like, on my first tour, like, yes. Those Factory Girl harmonies are always going to be there.

[5:11] Eden Witvoet: Each harmony part, yes.

[5:14] Jess: I'm curious. You are a musical theater artist. You've been that for a minute. What was your inciting incident musical? What was the musical that made you kind of define, like, yeah, this is what I want to do?

[5:21] Eden Witvoet: Oh, my goodness. That's a great question. Let's see. I want to say it may have been Les Mis, actually. I want to say I was in middle school when that movie came out. And that was a really big deal for me. I had a really big Les Mis phase.

[5:41] Eden Witvoet: And I think that was kind of around the time, too, where I was like, maybe I could be serious about this. This is something that I'm interested in. Because like I said, music was something that was always important to me. And I think for a while, I was like, maybe I want to be like a singer. But then I think I was drawn to theater because I do really love storytelling and storytelling through music. And I think Les Mis was something that really opened up my eyes to that. When I was younger.

[6:13] Jess: Well, I mean, what was your dream role in Les Mis? There's so many actual great roles for women in musicals. So I'm like, okay, which one do you want?

[6:20] Eden Witvoet: You know, probably at the time, I would say probably Eponine. I think in my professional life, I would probably be going in for Cosette more. But oh, my gosh, I would love to do anything in that show. It still is like one of my favorites, for sure.

[6:36] Jess: All right. I know you're in Parade right now. I know it's exciting and cool. Michigan based like when you come in next week, how many of your family's making the trek from Grand Rapids down to Detroit?

[6:44] Eden Witvoet: Oh, my gosh, I don't know if I could count so many. Yeah. Oh, my gosh, my family, my grandparents, friends, mentors, I think a lot of people are going to be driving over, which is very exciting. And I appreciate because, you know, this time of year in Michigan is not always for the faint of heart. So I'm very excited and grateful that people are going to be coming out.

[7:10] Jess: That's wonderful. Now, I know you are a multi-hyphenate, like everyone in the theater world. Have you ever been working on any of your own projects? I know you're a songwriter, I know you do a lot of other things. So you're on the road, you're probably like sitting around like isolated quite a bit. Have you like enough to get any sneak previews? But what is next for you after this?

[7:27] Eden Witvoet: Yeah. Yeah. So when I was part of actually why Texas State was such a great program for me was that they really encouraged us to explore multiple facets of our artistry. And I feel like I was really able to dive into who I am as a songwriter, as a musician, a music director, and those are still things that I have interest in. And it's early in my career. So I feel like I'm kind of bouncing around a little bit.

[8:05] Eden Witvoet: But I did bring with me, it's like new purchase foldable keyboard that I've never seen before. In hopes that I'll have some time to write on the road, which I think is going to be very possible. I think I'm just hitting that point now, where I feel like I know all of my tracks, basically, I feel like I now have time to write and to, you know, explore the cities and to do some of those other things.

[8:34] Eden Witvoet: But yeah, I have my first EP, The Piano by the Window, is on all streaming platforms. That was something I wrote during COVID, during lockdown. And then I also I was able to participate in a Johnny Mercer Foundation songwriting intensive this past summer, which was amazing, I got to collaborate with so many other songwriters in a way that I never really have before.

[8:59] Eden Witvoet: And so that's been really cool to see how other people write and how I write with collaborators. And yeah, I'm really inspired. So I'm excited to see what comes of that kind of going forward, having time to write and to create on the road, big, bright future.

[9:18] Jess: Now, here is where we kind of take a turn into something goofier. Amazing. I've done this with so many people that I respect so much that I've become big, I've goofed around with Kelly O'Hara. This is the portion where I call make me a musical where I take you and put you on the spot to try to pitch me a musical. You don't have to sing or anything like that. But based on a topic, I'm going to give you and I will, don't worry, I'm not going to drag you out or anything.

[9:42] Eden Witvoet: All right, let's do it.

[9:50] Jess: All right. So I want you to try to pitch me a musical based on Grand Rapids, Michigan, your hometown born and raised.

[9:57] Eden Witvoet: Okay, well, I always say one of my favorite things about Grand Rapids is ArtPrize, which I don't know if you're familiar, but it's a big art competition festival that happens. I think they do it every other year now where artists come in and I guess it is a competition. They compete, but it's really it feels like more of a celebration of art and art is all over the place. There's paintings everywhere in all the buildings. A lot of things are installations that stay and make the city beautiful.

[10:43] Eden Witvoet: And so I think like something that could be really cool is like a song cycle relating to ArtPrize with different songs being about different pieces. And a lot of those artists have like Michigan connections, which I think is really cool.

[10:49] Jess: You are thinking so third dimensionally about this and it makes me so happy.

[10:53] Eden Witvoet: Yeah, I think that could be really cool. We'll see. We'll see.

[10:59] Jess: All right, so let's just throw some ideas out there. Like do you remember any big art pieces from when like at ArtPrize?

[11:04] Eden Witvoet: I'm looking at it right now. And my God, so beautiful. It's really cool. Yeah. Oh my gosh, there's been so many. I remember I think it was the first year and I think it won. There was this massive, massive pencil piece that looked it was one of the most realistic looking pencil drawings I've...

[11:52] Eden Witvoet: I think the concept of "Grand Rapids the Musical" is really interesting because it allows us to explore the unique culture and history of the city. Grand Rapids has such a rich tapestry of stories, from its furniture manufacturing roots to its vibrant art scene.

[12:07] Eden Witvoet: One of the things that stands out to me is the community aspect. The people of Grand Rapids are incredibly proud of their city, and I think that pride can be translated into a musical format.

[12:32] Eden Witvoet: We could incorporate local legends and historical figures, maybe even some of the quirky traditions that the city has. It would be a celebration of what makes Grand Rapids special.

[12:52] Eden Witvoet: I envision a blend of humor and heart, showcasing both the struggles and triumphs of the residents. It could be a really fun way to engage with the audience and make them feel connected to the story.

[13:12] Eden Witvoet: Plus, the music could reflect the diverse influences in the area, from folk to rock to gospel. There’s so much potential for creativity in the score.

[13:32] Eden Witvoet: I think it would be important to highlight the voices of the community in the musical. We could involve local artists and musicians to bring authenticity to the project.

[13:52] Eden Witvoet: It’s all about creating a sense of belonging and pride in the narrative we tell. I believe that a musical can be a powerful tool for that.

[14:12] Eden Witvoet: And of course, we can’t forget about the humor! There are so many funny anecdotes and characters that could be woven into the story.

[14:32] Eden Witvoet: I think it would resonate with both locals and those who have moved away, giving them a nostalgic look back at their roots.

[14:52] Eden Witvoet: The challenge would be to balance the lighthearted moments with the more serious themes, but I think that’s where the magic happens in musical theatre.

[15:02] Eden Witvoet: Ultimately, I want "Grand Rapids the Musical" to be a love letter to the city, showcasing its quirks and charm while also addressing the real issues that people face.

[15:12] Eden Witvoet: I think it’s important to create something that feels genuine and relatable, something that people can see themselves in.

[15:32] Eden Witvoet: I can already picture the opening number, setting the scene of Grand Rapids and introducing the audience to the main characters.

[15:52] Eden Witvoet: It would be a vibrant and energetic start, drawing people in and making them want to learn more about the story.

[16:12] Eden Witvoet: I also think we could incorporate some interactive elements, maybe even have the audience participate in certain songs or scenes.

[16:32] Eden Witvoet: That would create a unique experience and make the musical feel even more connected to the community.

[16:52] Eden Witvoet: I’m really excited about the possibilities and can’t wait to see where this concept goes.

[17:12] Eden Witvoet: It’s all about collaboration and bringing together different voices to create something truly special.

[17:32] Eden Witvoet: I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and "Grand Rapids the Musical" could be a platform for those stories to shine.

[17:52] Eden Witvoet: I think it’s essential to honor the history of the city while also looking forward to its future.

[18:12] Eden Witvoet: There’s so much potential for growth and change, and I want the musical to reflect that journey.

[18:32] Eden Witvoet: It’s about celebrating the past while also embracing what’s to come.

[18:52] Eden Witvoet: I’m really passionate about this project and can’t wait to dive deeper into the writing process.

[19:12] Eden Witvoet: I think the collaboration with local artists will be key in making this a success.

[19:32] Eden Witvoet: It’s important to me that we create something that feels authentic and true to the spirit of Grand Rapids.

[19:52] Eden Witvoet: I’m looking forward to brainstorming more ideas and seeing how we can bring this vision to life.

[20:12] Eden Witvoet: I believe that musicals have the power to inspire and connect people, and I want "Grand Rapids the Musical" to do just that.

[20:32] Eden Witvoet: It’s about creating a shared experience that resonates with everyone who sees it.

[20:47] Eden Witvoet: I’m excited to see how this project evolves and what stories we’ll uncover along the way.

[21:07] Eden Witvoet: I think it’s going to be a journey filled with laughter, tears, and a whole lot of heart.

[21:27] Eden Witvoet: I can’t wait to get started on this adventure and see where it takes us.

[21:37] Eden Witvoet: There’s so much to explore and so many stories to tell, and I’m ready to dive in.

[21:47] Eden Witvoet: I think "Grand Rapids the Musical" has the potential to be something really special.

[22:08] Eden Witvoet: I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with everyone and hopefully bringing a little piece of Grand Rapids to the stage.

[22:29] Eden Witvoet: It’s going to be an exciting ride, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.

[22:36] Eden Witvoet: Thank you for letting me share my thoughts on this project!