A Wickedly Good Evening with Alli Mauzey and Julia Murney

Broadway Voices series has brought some of the biggest names in Broadway to Garner since it began in 2011, including Stephanie J. Block, Christiane Noll, and Norm Lewis.  This year's season was a spectacular one with guests Elizabeth Southard and Gary Mauer, Capathia Jenkins and last night's final show with Alli Mauzey. We can't wait to see what is in store for next season! 

Alli Mauzey graced the stage at the Garner Performing Arts Center with her extraordinary voice and brought her good friend and fellow Broadway star Julia Murney with her to join in on the fun!  Julia was Alli's first Elphaba when she went on as a standby for Glinda.  The two have palpable chemistry and are incredibly nice and genuine people! 

The night consisted of some old classics, some out of the box songs, and more modern stage hits.  Alli took us on a trip through her childhood in Anaheim, California and led us all the way to present day Garner where her husband, Collin Batten, is from and where his family still lives.  

The night started with "Should I Be Sweet" and included "I'm Home" from Phantom by Maury Yeston, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow,""The Sound of Music," "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long," "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera, "How About a Hand for the Hog," "Popuar," and "Disneyland" in the first half.  After intermission she came back out with "Love is Where You Find It" and the second half included "Somewhere That's Green," an orignial song that Alli wrote with her brother when they had their band 2 AM, "Screw Loose," and "I Could Have Danced All Night."  

Alli's Husband, Collin, came out to sing a beautiful rendition of "Suddenly Seymour" with her.  Julia sang "Ring Them Bells" and Julia and Alli together sang wonderful renditions of "For Good" and "I Will Never Leave You". 

This concert was a joy to be in attendance for and we hope we have to good fortune to see them in concert again sometime! 

Don't miss the announcement of next seson's Broadway Voices guests! Follow GPAC on twitter.

Stay up to date with Alli on twitter and Julia on her website and twitter. 

Theater People: Michael Urie

Episode six of the incredible Theater People podcast brings us an interview with the fabulously talented Michael Urie. You may know Michael from his role on Ugly Betty, as Bud Frump in How to Succeed or from his current role in the one-man play Buyer and Cellar.  He the podcast,and his interview with Patrick, is insightful and wildly entertaining.

Listen here!

The interview begins with an insight into Michael's background, such as the fact that he is actually a classically trained graduate of Julliard's prestigious drama division.  He is currently starring in the off-Broadway play Buyer and Cellar,  recounts a synopsis of the play (which sounds amazing) and talks about his time with the show so far, in which he plays seven characters.  He discusses what would happen if something went terribly wrong during the show and whether or not he has pages of the script in books around the set.

It's so interesting to hear from actors about their education and their process and how they feel the two things are intertwined.  It is especially interesting given that actors bring different walks of life and educational backgrounds to the roles they play.  Michael Urie is no exception.  Patrick and Michael discuss  his process and his experience with playing multiple characters.  It is very intriguing to hear his answer given his formal education in the dramatic arts.  Especially interesting is how he chose to play the character of Barbra Streisand in the play.

You can't talk to Michael Urie and not talk about Ugly Betty! Interestingly enough, he was only supposed to be in the pilot episode as a co-star, but his immediate friendship with Vanessa Williams, and her subsequent advice, helped him become a series regular.

They go on to discuss Michael's time in New York and experience with theater beginning with The Temperamentals.  They go on to talk about Angels in America and Michael's extensive experience with the play and book.  They end by talking about his Broadway debut in How to Succeed and how he "weaseled his way in" to the part.

This episode, like every episode they put out, is 100% worth the listen! Go listen to it immediately and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow them on twitter!