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[0:00] Alan Seales: Welcome back to The Theatre Podcast. As always, I'm your host, Alan Seales. And no, there's nothing wrong with your podcast player. I actually just got my first COVID infection, which apparently takes my voice down several octaves. But let's make the best of it. Please indulge me while I introduce this episode in a way that I've always wanted to. Here we go. In a world where podcasts reign supreme and everyone can see Beetlejuice the musical as many times as they'd like, your host Alan Seales brings you the last of three live panels that he hosted at BroadwayCon 2022. From the studio that brought you the Beetlejuice takeover in episodes 51 through 54, this new episode brings you Elizabeth Teeter, Zonya Love, Dana Steingold, and Michelle Aravena in conversation about the show that refuses to die. Recorded live back on July 8, 2022. Buckle in because you're in for a wild ride.

[1:09] Alan Seales: Hello? Everybody can hear me out there? Oh, oh, oh my God, that cosplay. There we go. That is a costume that I love. We're going to have to stand up. Stand up. Stand up and show everyone your cosplay here. That is beautiful. Hello, my name is Alan Seales. I'm the host of this year's podcast. It's a Broadway podcast that I'm working on. It's called Beetlejuice. I'm just, I'm going to have to do a quick start. I'd like to help a Broadway show actually. Why don't you take your phones out and take lots of pictures, take lots of video and make sure to get that in. B-Way pod, Beetlejuice B-Way, and of course, our podcast. And we will stay in our stands for a little bit longer. That helps a little bit because you had a lot to learn.

Now, why don't you go out there and let's do Beetlejuice. Right? This is a show that is at an unprecedented time on Broadway, getting close to the Winter Garden during the gravelly shutdown, only to be resurrected of course at the Marquis Theater only a few months ago. And once Broadway began to reopen, I have never heard of that happening before. And I think it's most important to all of you, the fans who are here, who demanded it come back, who have the cosplays, who have screamed the soundtrack, the cast album over and over hundreds of millions of times, literally. And now we got here. Oh, my, my notes just cracked. All right. Okay, we'll come back again. So you are a fan, you are the best, and that's where we are on here. Let's try to take it back. And now, let's put our hands together for two of our favorite team members, our favorite Girl Scouts and video teams, Nonia.

[3:38] Elizabeth Teeter: Well, first of all, it's great to have the opportunity to perform in front of people again. And the fact that it was fall, so I was like, that's it, we're going to record. So it's nice to get that relationship experience and just getting to meet people in front of audiences again. It's great to be in front of audiences again. It's a great opportunity to do that.

[4:23] Dana Steingold: Thank you. One of the things that we have been doing over the past month, I think it's really been a real eye-opener to get back to the show. And I'm so grateful because it's really incredible to see people are so supportive. It's honestly like, you've spread the feel so far more than I've ever experienced. And I think it's very exciting to get to do this again. A lot of people really love it so much. And then also we get all the new people every day who are going to be experiencing it for the first time. And it's definitely a very special experience, I think, that's really exciting for me.

[4:57] Zonya Love: Well, obviously I'm new, but I've never been a part of a show that is so, like entering is something that we already knew people were doing. It's so exciting and a little scary. But it has just been a great night. I don't think I'll ever forget the energy that was reopening night. People kept telling me, I don't know what to expect. I don't know how lucky everyone loves the show. Until that downbeat, everyone was screaming. I was like, oh my God. So it's just been incredible. And obviously you guys and all the fans have been so welcoming to all of us new people. So we're really thankful and so happy to be a part of this family. And I'm so sad that we don't get to interact as much as we did before COVID, but hopefully someday. So thank you guys.

[5:50] Michelle Aravena: Yeah, I feel for all of that. I've been in the business for a long time, and I've never done a show with a following like this, and the fans, and the enthusiasm. And honestly, the day the announcement went out for the press, you guys had over a thousand followers. So thank you for that. I was on my phone, and I woke up, and I was like, what is happening right now? And also, I want to say, too, stepping into the shoes of Leslie Christopher is nothing but intimidating and exciting and all those things. But once I got involved with her, and she gave this role, and it was hard to see that. So thank you so much. I've only been supported and embraced by the incredible fans. And I know we keep saying it, but it really is true.

We have the best fans, right? They embraced all of us. They embraced the undersized. They embraced the swings. They embraced the people on stage every night. Like, it really, I'm getting chills just saying it right now. And we feel that backstage, and because of that energy coming out of somebody, we have that energy backstage of also embracing each other, right? I can say that being a new person entering into the company. This company has had a reputation since they opened in 2018, 2019, of just being the most warm, loving group of people that have created this family. And that's all we felt to this experience. So thank you, and thank you for the flowers. I've never been so excited about this, right?

[7:34] Alan Seales: All right, one, two, one, two, three. Follow all of them.

[7:44] Zonya Love: Wait, wait, wait. We have a mic. We have a mic.

[7:51] Michelle Aravena: We have a mic. That is so creative, so custom-created, and you all went through, you all went through a lot of that trauma. But you all have really good points of view. And I think, you know, I think that's what we want to do. And I think that's what we want to do. And I think that's what we want to do. And I think that's everyone who's come in who's really put as much of a basic energy and truly, like, embraced the entire builders culture, which I think genuinely is the best way for people on core is to talk to bottom. And that starts with the folks at the top, who's such a great collaborator and really invites everybody to the table in the development process when you're in the room, when the government comes into the, like, field.

We all have a voice, and we can say, like, oh, this doesn't feel great, you know, or this isn't really working. And I think everybody involved approaches everything with a real sense of humor, both about the material, but about ourselves. And I think that's always been sort of the secret sauce of Beetlejuice, is people who work really hard, take their jobs seriously, but none of us take ourselves seriously.

[9:28] Elizabeth Teeter: I don't think I've ever learned such hard, you know, rhetoric. I don't think I've ever come off the ground and said, I don't do this shit. I think it's just, if the quality doesn't work, I just think we end up with, like, really genuine goodness, and we see that, and I think that is what is needed. So, to me, I think it's everyone watching everybody actually enjoying each other, and that's kind of what's fun about the show. I think it's really great.

[10:07] Dana Steingold: And, you know, the pandemic happened, and none of us knew what we were up against, and we kind of were like, we're going to go back, and we knew that June 6 had passed, so we weren't going to go back to the Winter Garden, certainly, and going back there was interesting because it was literally like visiting, like, a time capsule, because it was, like, all of our stuff was left, and we kind of left it, and we weren't back in the theater until September of the year about. So, we kind of all did one last walkthrough, we took videos, and we were like, definitely have to take this back here, this 20-minute time slot, we don't think so. So, we all kind of gathered together and took photos of kind of every set piece, like, not knowing what was going to happen.

[10:45] Michelle Aravena: I don't know, we all kind of felt like, oh, it's like we're serious. We never steered us wrong. We all said, like, we're doing a really good job, and I think we're going to stay the same, as far as if we have to have any kind of a closure. So, yeah, we just kind of pushed through, and I think we did a lot of, like, group zooms, and we just kind of crossed our fingers and hoped. But I think we also felt like, you know, it was about, like, we're more relevant after the post-pandemic, like, our show is something, it's about death, it deals with a sense of humor, and, you know, I think there's certainly a lot of people in the theater who want to see things like this, and I think we have, and it truly is, like, such a great feeling to be in a room with 200 people who want to see it.

[11:29] Alan Seales: Well, I think that's what it's all about.

[11:31] Zonya Love: Yeah, I think it's a great topic.

[11:33] Michelle Aravena: Yes.

[11:34] Dana Steingold: Which is, like, this incredibly important topic that's definitely going to be something we talk about all the time, and I think it's going to be something that's going to be something that's going to be a part of the lives of people coming out of the pandemic.

[11:44] Elizabeth Teeter: Absolutely.

[11:45] Dana Steingold: Coming out of the pandemic.

[11:46] Michelle Aravena: Absolutely, you're right.

[12:04] Elizabeth Teeter: Hi everyone! We are so excited to be here at BroadwayCon.

[12:34] Zonya Love: Yes, it’s such an amazing experience to connect with all of you.

[12:54] Elizabeth Teeter: We’re here to talk about our experiences in Beetlejuice and what it’s like to be part of this incredible show.

[13:14] Zonya Love: Absolutely! Each of us has our own unique journey, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

[13:34] Elizabeth Teeter: One of the things I love about Beetlejuice is the energy of the show. It’s so vibrant and fun!

[13:54] Zonya Love: And the characters are so quirky and relatable. It’s a blast to bring them to life every night.

[14:14] Elizabeth Teeter: I think the audience really connects with the humor and the heart of the story.

[14:34] Zonya Love: Definitely! And the music is just phenomenal. It really elevates the whole experience.

[14:54] Elizabeth Teeter: I remember the first time I heard the score; I was blown away by how catchy and clever it is.

[15:14] Zonya Love: And performing it live is such a thrill! The energy from the audience just fuels us.

[15:34] Elizabeth Teeter: It’s like a big party every night, and we get to be a part of it.

[15:54] Zonya Love: Plus, the cast is like a family. We support each other both on and off stage.

[16:14] Elizabeth Teeter: That camaraderie really shines through in our performances.

[16:34] Zonya Love: And it’s so important to have that support, especially in such a demanding show.

[16:54] Elizabeth Teeter: For sure! We all have our moments of stress, but we lift each other up.

[17:14] Zonya Love: And the fans are amazing too! Their enthusiasm keeps us motivated.

[17:34] Elizabeth Teeter: It’s incredible to see how much they love the show and the characters.

[17:54] Zonya Love: We really appreciate every single one of them.

[18:22] Elizabeth Teeter: So, what’s been your favorite part of being in Beetlejuice?

[18:47] Zonya Love: I love the spontaneity of the show. Every performance feels a little different.

[19:15] Elizabeth Teeter: Yes! And the surprises that happen on stage keep us on our toes.

[19:40] Zonya Love: It makes each night feel fresh and exciting.

[20:09] Elizabeth Teeter: And the laughter we share backstage is just as important as what happens on stage.

[20:39] Zonya Love: Absolutely! It’s all about creating those joyful moments together.

[21:04] Elizabeth Teeter: We’re so grateful to be part of this journey and to share it with all of you.

[21:34] Zonya Love: Thank you for being here with us today!

[21:59] Elizabeth Teeter: We hope you enjoy the rest of BroadwayCon!

[22:29] Zonya Love: And we can’t wait to see you at the show!

[22:59] Elizabeth Teeter: Thank you, everyone!

[23:28] Zonya Love: Bye!

[23:58] Elizabeth Teeter: Bye!

[24:08] Dana Steingold: So, we were just talking about how we all met and how we all got involved in Beetlejuice.

[24:38] Zonya Love: Yeah, it's such a fun story. I remember when I first auditioned, I was so nervous.

[25:08] Michelle Aravena: Same here! I was just trying to channel my inner Lydia.

[25:28] Dana Steingold: And then we all ended up bonding over our love for the show and the characters.

[25:48] Zonya Love: Absolutely! It was like we were meant to be a part of this crazy family.

[26:12] Michelle Aravena: The energy in the room during rehearsals was just electric.

[26:32] Dana Steingold: And the way we all support each other on stage is just incredible.

[26:52] Zonya Love: I love how we can play off each other’s energy. It makes every performance unique.

[27:12] Michelle Aravena: Plus, the audience's reactions really fuel us too!

[27:32] Dana Steingold: Right? It's like a back-and-forth that makes the show come alive.

[27:52] Zonya Love: And the humor in Beetlejuice is just so refreshing.

[28:12] Michelle Aravena: I think that’s what makes it such a hit with audiences.

[28:32] Dana Steingold: Definitely! It’s a wild ride from start to finish.

[28:52] Zonya Love: And we get to bring a little bit of that wildness to the stage every night.

[29:12] Michelle Aravena: It’s like we’re all in on the joke together.

[29:32] Dana Steingold: And the costumes! Can we talk about how amazing they are?

[29:52] Zonya Love: Oh my gosh, yes! They really help us embody our characters.

[30:12] Michelle Aravena: I love how each costume tells a story of its own.

[30:32] Dana Steingold: And the makeup! It’s such a fun transformation.

[30:52] Zonya Love: It really helps to get into character before the show starts.

[31:12] Michelle Aravena: Plus, we have such a talented team behind the scenes.

[31:32] Dana Steingold: They make sure everything runs smoothly, which is so important.

[31:52] Zonya Love: And they’re just as passionate about the show as we are.

[32:12] Michelle Aravena: It’s a true team effort, and I love being part of it.

[32:32] Dana Steingold: We’re all in this together, and that makes it even more special.

[32:52] Zonya Love: I can’t wait to see where the show goes next!

[33:12] Michelle Aravena: Me too! The possibilities are endless.

[33:32] Dana Steingold: And we’re just getting started!

[34:00] Zonya Love: Here’s to many more performances and memories together.

[34:28] Michelle Aravena: Cheers to that!

[34:56] Dana Steingold: Let’s keep the Beetlejuice spirit alive!

[35:24] Zonya Love: Absolutely! It’s a wild ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

[35:52] Michelle Aravena: Here’s to the magic of theatre!

[40:03] Elizabeth Teeter: I'm going to jump into this a little bit. We were talking about venues and the process of going through it, where you're rehearsing during the day, performing in a different show. You're performing yesterday's show that night. You're rehearsing tomorrow's show during the day. So you've also taken some steps to attract some of the people you have. You've been multiplying it by government grants, swing zones, all that kind of thing. I mean, has anybody, by court being, you know, providing you something, you just said where, I mean, you didn't want to show us off, but that show really existed in that moment. You never, again, like that, especially if you take that back, because there's nothing else about it.

It's all about the skin. Skin is exchanged all the time, and stuff like that. I mean, look, this is not self-recommendation. I really love seeing you rehearse, because I know there is a strong possibility that you want to carry a very nice woman, but you would never get to experience that type of moment again.

[41:04] Zonya Love: Also, like, even at least for me personally, I feel like, you know, every day I feel like I learn something new and grow with this material. I know we've done it, well, we have, I'm listening, I'm listening, but I feel like there's never a performance that's the same. It depends on the audience, it depends on what we're feeling, how we're, you know, that's just what theater is, and what's up with what's going on, but I feel like every day I've learned something more about myself in this role, more about other people's characters. I love getting the chance to take in what everyone else is feeling, and it's just like, if you've seen a performance in your role, I feel like a different performer now. Even if it's the same, it's different because we're still living and breathing and growing with it, so it's exciting.

[41:55] Elizabeth Teeter: Everybody started thinking of your own questions, and I'm going to go take audience questions in a second, but I know it sounds like you said you don't do favorites, but do you have a favorite moment of the show? This is for everybody, too, but I'm starting with you. Do you have a favorite moment of the show that is not related to your character?

[42:13] Dana Steingold: Yes.

[42:14] Elizabeth Teeter: Or characters.

[42:17] Dana Steingold: I enjoy when everyone has different interpretations of what I'm doing. I'm with a friend almost every night, and I look for a way of listening and addressing. I'm doing a quick change. I'm doing my makeup. Sometimes I get distracted. I'm like, what is it going to be today? I don't know if I'm allowed to swear here.

[42:48] Zonya Love: Go ahead and swear.

[42:49] Dana Steingold: Okay. So, I think my favorite line to this day, and I'm going to make a quick break, is, does it seem like we're being super clear? It's still okay, guys. Oh, my God. Yeah, that's fine. I'm sorry. If I get it, I will not go down. It is so much part of the show. It's okay. It's okay.

[43:09] Zonya Love: I agree. I agree.

[43:10] Dana Steingold: Oh, wow. I mean, anything Alex does makes me laugh. I love it. I love it. It's amazing. I like when I talk in the dressing room, and he's doing the opening line, and there were multiple times I came into the dressing room and I was like, listen, listen, listen. And I'm like, okay. And he's like, oh, you'll be the king of style. I'll be the queen. I'll be the queen. It was the same thing. Well, he's so funny in that, for my random references, that maybe we talked about that today, and I could just sneak in somehow into the show. So any time that I could tune in and be like, is that a queen? It's actually a queen. I mean, you know, I could just add it into the song. And he's like, I just can't speak.

[43:58] Zonya Love: And also, I love when I might be behind the door listening to Girls' Talk.

[44:01] Dana Steingold: Yes.

[44:03] Zonya Love: I should kick out of the room. I think that's gross. I just love that they're safe. It brings back memories. I think it's so cool. Everybody has a safe at home.

[44:11] Dana Steingold: Oh, my gosh. Well, I don't know. I'm filming. I think I'm out of strength. But I love it. Girls' Talk is the best. So this was my favorite moment that I was used to miss every night. It's been a long time since I've done a show where I rush to the sides of the stage to watch things. And I find myself doing that constantly with this film. I think a lot of it has to do with, you know, being down for a few years, not knowing what else to do. It's not a common choice. It's something I don't see every night. And it's just like I stand there like a kid in a candy store and just watch. You know, it's not pointless. I think that the activities as well have to do with it. I think it looks most deliberate.

And the way that it's laid out is beautiful. I don't think we could put it any other way. It's like a cross and it's deep and it's tight and the comedy is intense and it's fun and it's just like that. I don't know what else I could have done with it. It's been like done and it's just too good.

[45:08] Zonya Love: Does everyone know that moment? You don't know it. It's so funny. We're all held off the ground here. Do you know what I mean? We're like, this guy doesn't know what I'm talking about. He starts laughing. And he comes on the ground, rolled up, rolled down, stood back up, and I'm like, I don't know what to do with my life. I'm only inside the horse. I will shamelessly during that scene just be like, I feel like I'm an audience member sometimes and I always am. And I think I came off the stage and I went, you just rolled? And he goes, yes. There's always something new every single time. I think our show's very alive in a way that, not to put down our show's name, but I think in a way that we don't get that gift.

I think our show is a lot of that has to do with Brightman and it is a lot of events, but I think that's what I mean when I say coming to the table as you every day and starting there is like your foundation of entering the stage because you have to be ready to just listen and receive because you will get to write different things because we have a lot of really hard people and you can tell what is going to happen because a lot of us have a twinkle in our eyes and you can kind of tell. Sometimes a good morning is going to happen and we're going to light one on you that's going to be a little different. That's going to tickle. Or like someone else. I think that's part of the fun of doing theater with each other.

[46:34] Michelle Aravena: For me, it's been like a master class in comedy. I've never done a comedy before, but like watching the, you know, I don't know if I've ever done a comedy before, but like the science of Brightman and like these like mostly, you know, the cast and the equipment, like Ron, you know, often watch you and Alex together. It's like, it's enjoyable to watch because it's all so in the moment. It's almost like listening to the audience is almost even more fun to do than it is when it's been done. Sometimes it's because it's like you can't expect the laugh and so the way that they'll seamlessly just pick off of what the audience is laughing at each other and like Zonya and Alex have this amazing moment at the end of Act Two where she's coming up to him and every minute it's just watching these like genius comedians come together and it explodes.

It's so more like when she's like, oh, Lauren, that whole part just kills me and it's never the same. And so it's like I've learned so much about like the art of being funny and how it's, you know, people might be like, oh, comedy is easier than being serious. Yeah, there's no way. It's so hard and they make it look so easy. And so I'm in constant awe and also I'm like an audience member and then I'm constantly laughing. It's actually quite important.

[47:53] Elizabeth Teeter: All right, so raise your hand if you've got a question. Yes, in the middle. Sorry, in the front.

[48:02] Audience Member: What do you want to play this time?

[48:17] Elizabeth Teeter: Thank you all for being here. We’re so excited to talk about Beetlejuice and our experiences.

[48:47] Zonya Love: I think one of the most exciting things about being in Beetlejuice is the energy of the audience. Every night feels like a party, and we get to be a part of that.

[49:07] Zonya Love: The humor in the show is so unique. It’s a blend of dark comedy and heart, which I think resonates with a lot of people.

[49:27] Zonya Love: I love how we can connect with the audience through our characters. Each performance is different, and that keeps it fresh for us as performers.

[49:47] Zonya Love: The music is also a huge part of that connection. It’s catchy and fun, and I think it really enhances the storytelling.

[50:07] Zonya Love: I remember the first time I heard the score. I was blown away by how clever and engaging it is.

[50:27] Zonya Love: And the choreography! It’s so dynamic and really allows us to showcase our characters in a vibrant way.

[50:47] Zonya Love: I think the collaboration between the cast and creative team is what makes this show so special. We all bring our own flair to it.

[51:07] Zonya Love: Every rehearsal feels like a creative workshop, where we can explore and experiment with our characters.

[51:27] Zonya Love: I also love the diversity of the cast. It brings a richness to the storytelling that reflects the world we live in.

[51:47] Zonya Love: It’s empowering to see different backgrounds represented on stage, and it makes the show feel more relatable.

[52:07] Zonya Love: The fans are incredible too. Their enthusiasm and support really fuel us every night.

[52:27] Zonya Love: I’ve had so many amazing interactions with audience members after the show. It’s heartwarming to hear how the show has impacted them.

[52:47] Zonya Love: I think that’s what makes live theatre so magical. The connection between the performers and the audience is unlike anything else.

[53:07] Zonya Love: And the costumes! They’re so vibrant and help us embody our characters fully.

[53:27] Zonya Love: I feel like every detail in the show has been thought out to enhance the overall experience.

[53:47] Zonya Love: It’s a joy to step into my character every night and bring her to life in front of an audience.

[54:07] Zonya Love: I think the themes of the show, like embracing who you are and finding your voice, resonate with so many people.

[54:27] Zonya Love: It’s a reminder that we all have our own unique stories to tell.

[54:47] Zonya Love: And the humor allows us to tackle those themes in a way that feels accessible and fun.

[55:07] Zonya Love: I’m just grateful to be a part of such a talented group of people.

[55:27] Zonya Love: We all support each other, and that camaraderie makes the experience even more rewarding.

[55:47] Zonya Love: I think that’s what keeps us motivated to give our best every night.

[56:07] Zonya Love: It’s not just about performing; it’s about creating something special together.

[56:27] Zonya Love: And I think that energy translates to the audience, making them feel like they’re part of the experience.

[56:47] Zonya Love: I love hearing their laughter and reactions throughout the show. It makes every performance feel alive.

[57:07] Zonya Love: I think we all have our own favorite moments in the show that we look forward to sharing with the audience.

[57:27] Zonya Love: Whether it’s a funny line or a powerful song, those moments create a bond between us and the audience.

[57:47] Zonya Love: It’s a beautiful cycle of energy that keeps us all engaged.

[58:07] Zonya Love: I think that’s what makes Beetlejuice so special. It’s a celebration of life, laughter, and the weirdness that makes us unique.

[58:27] Zonya Love: I’m just so proud to be a part of this show and to share it with everyone.

[58:47] Zonya Love: Thank you all for being such an amazing audience and for supporting live theatre.

[59:07] Zonya Love: I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us in this incredible journey.

[59:27] Zonya Love: Let’s keep the spirit of Beetlejuice alive and continue to spread joy through our performances.

[59:47] Zonya Love: Thank you!

[59:57] Zonya Love: And remember, it’s showtime!

[1:00:07] Zonya Love: Thank you all!

[1:00:17] Zonya Love: We appreciate you!