Best Orfeh Podcasts (2025)

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Jonathan Bennett Feeds Jimmy a Sloppy Joe 59:44

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5h ago59:44

59:44

Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls, Finding Mr. Christmas) feeds Jimmy a sloppy joe for the first time. They also discuss Jonathan making his broadway debut alongside Jimmy in the revival of Spamalot, his relationship with the Hallmark channel and his favorite places to eat in Palm Springs. Jimmy's mom tells of her love for Hallmark movies but her disapp…

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Ep413 - Nik Walker (from the vault) 1:25:54

6d ago1:25:54

1:25:54

Originally aired as episode 120 on December 9, 2020. Nik Walker is an artist, educator, and activist who made his Broadway debut in Motown The Musical. He spent 3 years with the Broadway and touring companies of Hamilton, adding both Aaron Burr and George Washington to his resume. Other stage credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (off-Broadway)…

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Ep412 - Ian Knauer & Mike Abrams: Was Old Deuteronomy the Right Jellicle Choice? 53:34

14d ago53:34

53:34

When two podcasts collide, the conversation gets wild — and that’s exactly what happened when Mike Abrams of The Wrong Cat Died joined me for this crossover episode with actor Ian Knauer. We cover Ian’s journey through Broadway, the West End, regional theater, and even his time performing on Disney Cruise Line. Along the way, Ian shares the perseve…

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Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer Feeds Jimmy Kombucha 56:45

14d ago56:45

56:45

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Tony nominee Spamalot, Hazbin Hotel) feeds Jimmy Kombucha for the first time. They also discuss starring in Spamalot on broadway together, taking a tour of important locations from The Sopranos together and an enchanting evening together when Jimmy mistakenly took mushrooms. Jimmy's mother is adamant that she owns solar li…

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Ep411 - Jack Viertel: The Secret Architect of Broadway Hits 52:03

21d ago52:03

52:03

Jack Viertel has quietly shaped Broadway for decades, guiding landmark productions from behind the scenes while rarely stepping into the spotlight himself. In this conversation, he opens up about the art and the business of theatre, reflecting on how shows get chosen, how failures and successes both shape a career, and why Broadway has always been …

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Ep410 - Burke Swanson: From Third Grade Stand-Up to the Netflix Universe 56:09

28d ago56:09

56:09

Burke Swanson brings the heart, humor, and metaphysical musings to this episode in a way that’s rare and deeply refreshing. From his early days as a third-grader doing stand-up at a summer camp to stepping into the Netflix universe as Hopper Jr. in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Burke shares the moments that shaped him—and the ones that continu…

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Zach Noe Towers Feeds Jimmy Kimchi 1:05:07

28d ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Zach Noe Towers (Good Sod Pod, Heavy Butter) feeds Jimmy kimchi for the first time. They also discuss Zach's inability to burp, Jimmy's fear of fermentation and Jimmy's shameful nightly dessert. Jimmy's mom shares her famous meatball recipe. Support the showBy Jimmy Smagula

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Lois Smagula and Jimmy Recap your Favorite Baby Mouth Episodes! 48:48

1M ago48:48

48:48

Jimmy and his mother Lois recap many of your favorite Baby Mouth episodes from past seasons. Lois discusses the mafia, her epic journey trying to unlock her cell phone and struggles to remember the last time she was on a boat. Support the show

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Ep409 – Alison Jaye: Stranger Things Have Happened on Broadway 55:41

1M ago55:41

55:41

What happens when one of the biggest TV shows in the world makes the leap to Broadway? Alison Jaye takes us behind the scenes of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, where she steps into the role of Joyce Maldonado in a production unlike anything Broadway has ever seen. With audiences made up largely of first-time theatergoers, Alison describes what …

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Ep408 - Gerianne Pérez: Six Degrees of Mincemeat 56:25

1M ago56:25

56:25

Gerianne Pérez joins us for a candid and hilarious conversation about her winding path from choir kid to Broadway scene-stealer. She shares how an early love of a cappella shaped her artistry, why walking away from a “safe” office job was the best decision she ever made, and what it’s like to audition for Six in front of a room full of other queens…

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Rachel Dratch Feeds Jimmy Borscht 1:07:41

1M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

SEASON THREE PREMIERE! Rachel Dratch (SNL, Woo Woo With Rachel Dratch) feeds Jimmy borscht for the first time. They also discuss performing together in Guys and Dolls, various foods she is eating while in New England and their shared love of ice cream. Jimmy's mother describes "not feeling anything" when a 3.0 earthquake hits nearby. Support the sh…

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RE-RELEASE: Cole Escola Feeds Jimmy Cottage Cheese 1:07:07

2M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

Cole Escola (Oh Mary!, Search Party, At Home with Amy Sedaris) feeds Jimmy cottage cheese for the first time. They also discuss Cole's favorite NYC take out places, the dangers of chicken, and Cole's "grandma mouth." Jimmy's mom talks about her expensive haircut. Support the showBy Jimmy Smagula

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Ep407 - Alex Serino: Why Do We Have Books? 1:03:00

2M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Alex Serino didn’t take the “traditional” path to Broadway, but his journey is one fueled by community, heart, and hustle. A proud Boston native, Alex grew up surrounded by music, theater, and an extended family that felt more like a village. From band kid to puppeteering Audrey II, to a standout performance in The SpongeBob Musical and hosting Eme…

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RE-RELEASE: Melissa Fumero Feeds Jimmy Figs 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

RE-RELEASE! Melissa Fumero feeds Jimmy figs for the first time. They also discuss growing up in Lyndhurst, NJ, getting a musical theatre education at NYU and Melissa's audition for Brooklyn 99 . Jimmy's mother tells us about her favorite soap operas and figs on a string. Support the showBy Jimmy Smagula

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Ep406 - Ayanna Nicole Thomas: Embracing Neurodivergence, One Spell at a Time 45:19

2M ago45:19

45:19

Ayanna Nicole Thomas didn’t follow a traditional path to Broadway—but that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling. After growing up between the Bronx and LA, she eventually made her way back to New York to study musical theatre. But right before her senior year, she booked her Broadway debut in How to Dance in Ohio—a show that celebrates neur…

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Ep405 - Aaron Bartz: The Redemption of Draco (and Dirty Birds at 8AM) 51:16

2M ago51:16

51:16

Aaron Bartz brings a grounded, thoughtful energy to the role of Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and in this conversation, he shares just how much life and imagination go into keeping the magic alive night after night. From flying and fire to illusions and high-stakes contingencies, Aaron walks us through what it’s like to debut o…

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Ep404 - Sarah Killough: How to Audition Without Touching the Reader 43:36

2M ago43:36

43:36

From playing the oboe in northern Minnesota to casting spells as Ginny Potter on Broadway, Sarah Killough's story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Sarah chats about her early musical roots, growing up surrounded by theater in a creatively rich family, and the pivotal decision to attend Interlochen as a teenager. She shares how she carved …

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Ep403 - Matthew James Thomas: Harry Potter, Spider-Man, and Severance Theories 52:33

2M ago52:33

52:33

Matthew James Thomas opens up in this heartfelt conversation about his journey from a rebellious, bullied teen in the English countryside to finding truth and belonging on stage. Growing up feeling misunderstood, he found safety and purpose in acting, discovering early on that truth-telling through performance was his way of making sense of the wor…

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Ep402 - Rachel Christopher: When Poetry Meets Platform 9¾ 47:04

2M ago47:04

47:04

Rachel Christopher brings a poet’s heart and a scholar’s mind to the stage eight times a week as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In this conversation, she opens up about her lifelong love of language, her background in translating ancient Greek poetry, and the deeply personal connection she feels to storytelling—both on stage…

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Ep401 - Erik Christopher Peterson: Magic, (de)Mentors, and the Malfoy Legacy 45:14

3M ago45:14

45:14

Theatre and magic collide as Erik Christopher Peterson kicks off a seven-episode Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast takeover on the podcast. In this deep-dive conversation, Erik reflects on growing up with a theatre educator dad, trading in his baseball glove for the stage, and eventually making his Broadway debut as Scorpius Malfoy. He shares …

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Ep400 - Bobby Moynihan: Collectibles, Comedy, and Catharsis 54:14

3M ago54:14

54:14

From growing up in Eastchester, New York with dreams of joining Saturday Night Live to becoming one of the most beloved cast members in its history, Bobby Moynihan’s story is packed with heart, humor, and a lot of unexpected turns. In this episode, Bobby reflects on his nine seasons at SNL—including the anxiety, the magic, and the behind-the-scenes…

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Ep399 - Jeffrey Seller: Storytelling, Struggle, and the Rise of a Broadway Giant 58:18

3M ago58:18

58:18

From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jeffrey reflects on the pivotal moments that shap…

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BONUS - "The Little Mermaid" Cast & Creatives at Papermill Playhouse 47:50

3M ago47:50

47:50

Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective. From the emotion…

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Ep398 - Molly Griggs: Between Southern Comfort and Broadway Grit 57:31

4M ago57:31

57:31

What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door. Molly Griggs opens up about her Southern roots, early theater experiences at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and how growing up in Fayetteville shaped her worldview both on and o…

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Ep397 - Rob Madge: A Smoke Machine Wish, Tons of Wigs, and a Dream 51:02

4M ago51:02

51:02

Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). In this episode, Rob shares how those home videos evolved into a the…

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Ep396 - Anthony Veneziale & Aneesa Folds: Hip Hop, Humanity, and Hacking the Stage 57:10

4M ago57:10

57:10

Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco. With its Bay Area hip hop roots, tech satire, and cutting-edge stage visuals powered by …

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BONUS - 2025 Tony Awards Predictions with Samantha Tuozzolo and Jason A. Coombs from Survival Jobs, a Podcast 26:05

4M ago26:05

26:05

Just in time for Broadway’s biggest night, the 2025 Tony Awards, Survival Jobs hosts ⁠Jason A. Coombs⁠ and⁠ Samantha Tuozzolo⁠ drop a special bonus episode today featuring The Theatre Podcast host and Broadway insider Alan Seales. This fun, laid-back conversation is packed with 2025 Tony Award predictions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections on th…

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Ep395 - Julia Knitel: Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Herself 44:11

4M ago44:11

44:11

Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked. After booking her Broadway debut as a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, Julia continued to carve her own path …

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Ep394 - Joy Huerta & Benjamin Velez: Pop Meets Plot in a Tony-Nominated Twist 58:52

4M ago58:52

58:52

Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez might come from very different musical worlds — Latin pop and musical theatre — but their collaboration on Real Women Have Curves proves just how powerful a cross-genre partnership can be. Meeting for the first time over Zoom in the middle of the pandemic, these two composers built trust, respect, and a Tony-nominated …