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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Welcome back to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon. I am so excited for today's episode because we have the incredible Emma Hunton joining us. You know her from "Wicked," "Rent," and so much more.

[0:30] Emma Hunton: Hi, Robert! I'm so happy to be here.

[0:45] Robert Bannon: We love you! You have a new project coming up that is just perfect for the spooky season. Can you tell us about "Exorcistic"?

[1:05] Emma Hunton: Absolutely! "Exorcistic" is a rock musical parody of "The Exorcist," and it’s coming to New York just in time for Halloween. It’s going to be at The Box from October 8th through October 23rd.

[1:25] Robert Bannon: That sounds amazing! I know it had a sold-out run in Los Angeles. What can audiences expect from the show?

[1:45] Emma Hunton: They can expect a mix of horror and hilarity, with some powerhouse rock tunes. The story revolves around a movie star whose daughter becomes possessed, and a group of priests trying to save her. It’s a wild ride!

[2:05] Robert Bannon: And you’re reprising your role from the LA production, right?

[2:15] Emma Hunton: Yes! I’m so excited to bring this character to New York. It’s such a fun role to play.

[2:35] Robert Bannon: The cast is incredible too! I saw that you have some amazing talent joining you.

[2:55] Emma Hunton: Yes! We have Lindsay Heather Pearce, Brian Logan Dales, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and so many more. Each night, we’ll have a rotating guest star, which keeps it fresh and exciting.

[3:15] Robert Bannon: That’s such a cool concept! It must be thrilling to have different performers each night.

[3:35] Emma Hunton: It really is! It adds an element of surprise for both the cast and the audience. You never know who will show up!

[3:55] Robert Bannon: Frankie Grande mentioned that "Exorcistic" combines everything you love about rock musical theater and horror. What do you think makes this show stand out?

[4:15] Emma Hunton: I think it’s the unique blend of comedy and horror, along with the incredible music. It’s a parody within a parody, and the audience gets to see a struggling theater company trying to make it to Broadway.

[4:35] Robert Bannon: That sounds like a blast! I can’t wait to see it. What’s your favorite part about being involved in this production?

[4:55] Emma Hunton: Honestly, it’s the energy of the cast and the music. We have such a talented group, and the songs are just so much fun to perform.

[5:15] Robert Bannon: I love that! It sounds like a perfect way to celebrate Halloween.

[5:35] Emma Hunton: Yes! It’s going to be a great time, and I hope everyone comes out to see it.

[5:55] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much for joining me today, Emma. I can’t wait to see "Exorcistic"!

[6:15] Emma Hunton: Thank you for having me, Robert! I can’t wait to share this show with everyone.

[6:35] Robert Bannon: Make sure to check out "Exorcistic" at The Box from October 8th to October 23rd. You won’t want to miss it!

[6:55] Emma Hunton: See you there!

[7:15] Robert Bannon: That’s it for today’s episode of The Roundtable with Robert Bannon. Be sure to subscribe for more amazing conversations with your favorite artists.

[7:35] Emma Hunton: Bye everyone!

[7:55] Robert Bannon: Bye!

[8:15] Robert Bannon: Thanks for tuning in!

[8:25] Robert Bannon: Until next time!

[8:35] Robert Bannon: Take care!

[8:55] Robert Bannon: See you soon!

[9:05] Robert Bannon: Bye!

[9:15] Robert Bannon: Thanks for listening!

[9:43] Robert Bannon: Goodbye!

[10:11] Robert Bannon: See you next week!

[10:39] Robert Bannon: Bye!

[11:07] Robert Bannon: Thanks for joining us!

[11:35] Robert Bannon: Until next time!

[12:03] Robert Bannon: Bye!

[12:48] Emma Hunton: I will say there is something about the camaraderie, and I really felt this when I was doing Wicked. It really felt like a sorority sort of sisterhood. I feel like we used to be in this world where everything was competitive and everyone was your enemy in your competition. If you didn't beat them, then you were worse. And I feel like we've really sort of, at least I feel among my peers and women in theater, that we've gotten much better about being supportive and cheering each other on and sort of fixing each other's crowns instead of pointing out that they're crooked. And I'm really proud to be part of that generation of theater women. And I've really, really felt that more so the older I get, that it really is just more of a sisterhood and people being like, you're doing this incredible thing.

I've been there. How can I help? What do you need? I know that I needed this kind of support when I was doing this crazy thing. How can I help you? And it's been, it's been, I feel like I really did see the end of the bad stuff. And I really got to come up in the theater world when we started going through this change of like women supporting women. And, and that's a long tangent to say that. Yeah, you know.

[14:10] Robert Bannon: Well, that, well, that it's, it's really beautiful. There's enough jobs for everybody.

[14:13] Emma Hunton: There is. And I think that, you know, when, when we lend ourselves to support good theater, those shows don't go away. You know, like you, when you are done, you pass the baton on. I think about Annalia Ashford when I joined Rent and she left me a Maureen survival kit of chips and Diet Coke.

[14:36] Robert Bannon: That is a great story.

[14:37] Emma Hunton: And she wrote me like a really sweet card, but it was just like, you know, that's, that's, that's more of that.

[14:45] Robert Bannon: Exactly. That is a beautiful, a beautiful story and homage to exactly what we're, what we're talking about today. I think it comes back around. And if you put that energy out there, only, you know, good things will come your way.

[14:57] Emma Hunton: Always. And then, you know, and then you, then more women get to play these roles down the line. And, and, you know, now that we are becoming more aware of, they're not just being two genders, that non-binary performers exist and that we are breaking outside of these boxes of not just, you know, feeding into gender roles. I think it's, it's, it's really, really great to watch and to be a part of.

[15:19] Robert Bannon: Yes. It's going to be exciting. It's only just begun. It's going to be really exciting. Like, I can't wait to see the first non-binary performer as Maureen in a Rent tour.

[15:27] Emma Hunton: Absolutely.

[15:27] Robert Bannon: You know what I mean? Like, or the first, like, non-binary Elphaba, like, let me see it. I want to see it.

[15:33] Emma Hunton: I, I, I'll be sitting, I'll sit right next to you because that.

[15:36] Robert Bannon: I'll be there with you, front row.

[15:38] Emma Hunton: Here's my ticket to see that. I'm ready.

[15:40] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[15:41] Emma Hunton: I still don't know how you take care of your voice as well as you've done, you know, you can hear horror stories about people who do these monster roles and go on the road and, you know, are touring around the world. And then I got to see you sing, in person at the Wallace when you did Witness Uganda and then saw you at the recording studio and listen to the track, which your voice is so beautiful. Your tone is so beautiful.

[16:03] Emma Hunton: Thank you.

[16:03] Robert Bannon: So what is the trick? What do you do to take care of your, your health when you're in a show or vocally?

[16:07] Emma Hunton: I mean, every show is different. I've definitely found with Exorcistic because of the demon voice. Um, I, Heidi Blickenstaff is a great voice. Heidi Blickenstaff always said this when we were on tour of Freaky Friday, and it really does sort of nail, hit the nail on the head. You only have so much gas in your tank every week. And it's not just singing. Like there are things that you do in your show and in your life that take gas out of the tank and you have to choose where you spend your gas, right? So with Exorcistic for me, it's, there's no drinking alcohol during the week. There, um, the, the show's really physically demanding. We're doing, um, aerial work. I'm, you know, doing backbends and crab walks.

So like, uh, my body is really, really stiff, um, every day. So every two days I'll take an ice bath. Um, I will try and get a massage on my day off, but like, not just like a, like a, like a physical therapy massage. Sometimes I pop my ribs out of place, so I got to go get them popped back in. Um, but it, but I will say I've done shows where I've had to live that lifestyle and it hasn't felt as rewarding. Um, this is something I don't mind doing that for because I feel like the work that I am putting in off stage, I get back tenfold on stage. So it's worth it. But, um, but it is, it's a very, very strict lifestyle. And I think that's why musical theater performers tend to get so burned out because, you know, we do these jobs back to back to back and it's important to still be a person.

And so, I mean, when we were doing the schedule for Exorcistic, we were talking about realistically, how many shows in a week can I do vocally? Um, and basically what it came down to, as I said, look, I can't do this show twice in one day. That's just, it's physically and vocally impossible for me to do this show twice in one day. So does that mean six shows a week? Does that mean five shows a week? Does that mean, you know, seven shows every day, only one show? So we really had to sit down and think about what was doable for me and for my standby, Kim Dalton, because it's not, you know, her and I share this role. She, she has to be just as prepared as I am every night in case something goes wrong.

And, um, and it's, and, and her and I really talk a lot about, we're always checking in with each other about like, is this, do we think this is possible? Like, this is okay for two shows a week, but is this possible for five shows a week? And, um, and it really, it, you have to be so strict with yourself. It's just self-discipline. And, and I was bad at that when I was younger. I, I think I could get away with more. And I was like, oh, it's, I don't have to, you know, go home and go to bed. But now I'm like, oh, it's 10. Like, I gotta, let me like FaceTime my honey and then go to sleep.

[19:11] Robert Bannon: Well, that didn't just sell. Now we all want to know what you're doing and what's all going on. Go to at exorcistic underscore musical on Instagram, and you can find information there or go to the website hrsproductionsla.com. You get to make some decisions and talk about it because you've decided to take a leap from just being a person on the stage to being behind the scenes and being a producer. How was that journey? What was that decision like?

[19:27] Emma Hunton: Well, it was, it felt really easy. It was a very easy decision to make. It felt really natural. And it really, there was, there really was no conversation. We had sort of, Michael wanted to record the album and he asked me if I would do it. And I said, absolutely. We got, you know, all of our friends and family, past cast members, current cast members to come in and record this album over a period of like 24 hours. We did this whole album. Yeah. Like truly like knocked it out of the park in 20, like learning stuff in the booth and being like, okay, okay, okay. Record it, record it. Like really flew by the seat of our pants. So at the end of this 24 hours, you know, I don't know if it was exhaustion or delirium or just running on the magical fumes of like doing this incredible score.

But I was like, what's the future of this? And he was like, well, I would love to do a production because it's the 50th anniversary of the movie coming up. And I was like, okay, well, what's stopping us? And he was like, well, we need someone to produce it. And I was like, I'll produce it. And he was like, really? And I was like, is that weird? If I'm like in it and producing it? And he was like, no, I was like, all right. I was like, you got to make your own stuff. Right. So, so Ali and I started HRS Productions. She's my business partner. And, and that was, that was really it.

[20:45] Robert Bannon: Emma, you are HRS Productions.

[20:47] Emma Hunton: Yes, it's, I love the name because we call it, we always say we want to just do hood rat shit with our friends, but it also, but it stands for hers. It's like, and it's a female owned production company. And, and we just want to do hood rat shit with our friends.

[21:06] Robert Bannon: I want to watch hood rat shit with my friends.

[21:08] Emma Hunton: And, and I hope that it's a HRS or a they or whoever is making it. Whoever's. I just want to be able to see some good hood rat shit with you.

[21:17] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[21:18] Emma Hunton: Oh, well, then I really, we have to come on. We have to go. Everybody. Yes. Come see Exorcistic. What are you doing? Get your tickets. Get down there right now.

[21:28] Robert Bannon: Yay. All right. So it's running October. You have no plans. No one has plans. Everybody, you have no plans. You need to get a group, get together. Come fall into the Exorcistic with us.

[21:39] Emma Hunton: The Exorcistic.

[21:40] Robert Bannon: And we could listen to the album right now, right?

[21:42] Emma Hunton: Yes. It's on Spotify, iTunes, anywhere you stream music, you can find us. We got to learn the words so we can have like a full moment.

[21:51] Robert Bannon: Yeah. You know, what's really fun is that because we've had to extend so many times in LA, we have a fan base now. And there are some moments in the show, like musically where there's like a clap, clap. And I think one of our last shows, like 80% of the audience did it with us. And all of us were like, they knew when to clap. This is, I'm telling you, this is like a Rocky horror. Like I'm waiting for the props and the moment.

[22:17] Emma Hunton: Yeah. The cult following is strong with this one.

[22:22] Robert Bannon: I'm super excited. I'm so, I'm so happy you said that you produced it. And then I noticed it because that is a really big deal. That is a huge deal.

[22:29] Emma Hunton: It's the first thing that I've done. And I, and I say this to our cast and to Ali, my producing partner all the time. I, I feel really, really lucky that this is the first production that I've produced. It's, it's really, I feel a little spoiled. I feel like it's never going to be this easy again. And I don't, and I shouldn't get used to that. But, but it has been a really, really wonderful first time experience. A great way to break the ice as a producer. I feel really lucky.

[23:03] Robert Bannon: Well, I can't wait. Everyone, make sure you follow Emma at Emma Hunton on Instagram.

[23:07] Emma Hunton: Yes.

[23:08] Robert Bannon: And you can go get tickets at hrsproductionsla.com. She is HRS. All that hood rat shit is all up in there. And then you can go to exorcistick underscore musical on Instagram. I'm so excited. Congratulations. Break all the legs.

[23:21] Emma Hunton: Thank you so much.

[23:22] Robert Bannon: Thanks Robert. I'll see you soon.

[23:23] Emma Hunton: I'll see you soon. I'm ready to party.

[23:27] Robert Bannon: We got to celebrate your birthday. I'm going to celebrate my birthday with you. And I'm going to have to, I may have to sleep on someone's couch because I'll be scared to be by myself.

[23:35] Emma Hunton: I got you. I promise you will laugh more than you'll cry.

[23:38] Robert Bannon: Deal.

[23:39] Emma Hunton: All right. That's a deal.

[23:40] Robert Bannon: That's it. Thank you so much for being here.

[23:42] Emma Hunton: Absolutely. Thank you for having me.

[23:44] Robert Bannon: Well, there you have it. Isn't she fun? All right. That's my dog. Do you hear him? Gosh, podcast people. I'm sorry. You have to hear my dog in your earphones. I hope you're enjoying the shows. I hope you're watching and sharing with your friends. Make sure you check us out. We have shows coming to you all the time. We have ticket giveaways right now on our Instagram at The Roundtable with Robert Bannon or at RobertBannon. And you can find out more information about me at RobertBannon.com. Oh, albums and shows and parties and accoutrements galore. And I so appreciate you being here with me. I look forward to the next time, everybody. The best is yet to come. I'll see you again real soon right here at The Roundtable.

[24:28] Emma Hunton: Bye.