All stories by Lauren Van Hemert on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

In Conversation with Cindy Williams by Lauren Van Hemert

Cindy Williams' one-woman show, Me, Myself, and Shirley, is touring the country. It will play the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh on April 16. For more information visit https://www.memyselfan…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 03:04AM
Thursday, March 31, 2022

In Conversation with Oklahoma's Patrick Clanton by Lauren Van Hemert

The national tour of Oklahoma! runs through April 3 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. About the Guest Patrick Clanton - National Tours: School of Rock, Sister Act. Regional: Flat Rock…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 06:30PM
Monday, March 14, 2022

In Conversation with Melda Beaty by Lauren Van Hemert

For more information on Agape Theatre Project's production of Front Porch Society, visit About the Guest Melda is a passionate playwright. Her first play, Front Porch Society, delves into t…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:17PM
Wednesday, March 2, 2022

A Trip to the Underworld Reads More Political than Mystical by Lauren Van Hemert

Read Lauren Van Hemert's review of the national tour of HADESTOWN, traveling the country through March 2023. The post A Trip to the Underworld Reads More Political than Mystical appeared fir…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:58AM
Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Ep. 114: A Chat with Glynn Turman (Women of the Movement) by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Glynn Turman has to say about working on WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT, making his Broadway debut in the original cast of A RAISIN IN THE SUN, and more. The post Ep. 114: A Chat with Glyn…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 01:22AM

A Conversation with Glynn Turman by Lauren Van Hemert

Links https://youtu.be/0sHzA-Fn-08 (Ivy Park Rodeo Campaign Video) https://www.ixwindsranch.org/ (Camp Gid-D-Up) Connect with Us Facebook @beltlinetbroadway Twitter @beltlinetobway Instagra…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:00AM
Thursday, January 27, 2022

Brian Westbrook Talks SIDE BY SIDE SONDHEIM by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Brian Westbrook has to say about the NRACT production of SIDE BY SIDE SONDHEIM and what the composer-lyricist's music means to him. The post Brian Westbrook Talks SIDE BY SIDE SOND…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 02:17AM
Tuesday, January 18, 2022

A Conversation with Dramaturg Ken Cerniglia (Hadestown) by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Ken Cerniglia is dramaturg and literary manager for Disney Theatrical Group, where he has developed over fifty shows for professional, amateur, and school productions, includ…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 03:15AM
Tuesday, January 4, 2022

In Conversation with Shereen Ahmed by Lauren Van Hemert

Shereen Ahmed has been recognized as the first woman of color to play Eliza Doolittle in Broadway & West End history. She was recently seen on NBC’s hit show New Amsterdam as Shenaz Sh…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:00AM
Thursday, December 23, 2021

Chryssie Whitehead Talks A CHORUS LINE, WEST SIDE STORY, and MORE by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Chryssie Whitehead's career of 20 years started as a Rockette and got her first start in film as a dance double in Save the Last Dance with Julia Stiles. Chryssie then w…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:00AM
Monday, November 29, 2021

A Candid Conversation About Raleigh Little Theatre’s CINDERELLA by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guests Heather J. Strickland started as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre in June 2020. Prior to joining RLT, Heather was the Communications and Development Director…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 08:00AM
Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Live Chat with Jarvis Antonio Green by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Jarvis Antonio Green has to say about directing the upcoming North Carolina Theatre production of LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL. The post Live Chat with Jarvis Antonio Green …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:24PM
Monday, November 1, 2021

Dr. Alisa Hurwitz on Transgender Representation in Theater by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Dr. Alisa Hurwitz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Brandeis University, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Psychology degrees in Clinical Psychol…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Thursday, October 7, 2021

Live Chat with Ryah Nixon (NCT’s 9 to 5) by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Ryah Nixon has to say about reprising her role as Doralee in the North Carolina Theatre production of 9 to 5. The post Live Chat with Ryah Nixon (NCT’s 9 to 5) appeared first on …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 01:15AM
Tuesday, September 28, 2021

The Struggles of Welcoming Audiences Back Inside our Community Theaters Post-COVID by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guests Patrick Torres is RLT’s Artistic Director and has more than a decade of experience as a professional director and theatre educator. His work as a freelance director has be…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:30AM
Sunday, September 12, 2021

Ep. 107: Kevin Tuerff’s Real-Life ‘Come From Away Story’ by Lauren Van Hemert

At 9:26 a.m. on September 11th, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down U.S. airspace forcing 4,000 planes to land immediately. Thirty-eight of those planes containing 7,000 pass…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 09:00AM
Monday, August 30, 2021

Ep. 106: Bear Bellinger and Matt DaSilva Break Down the Actors Equity and Open Access Policy by Lauren Van Hemert

Resources: https://actorsequity.org/resources/diversity/ (Actors Equity Diversity and Inclusion Retrofit) Connect with Beltline to Broadway Facebook – @beltlinetobroadway Twitter – @bel…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 01:12PM
Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Ep. 105: A Spoonful of Music and Optimism with Robert J. Sherman by Lauren Van Hemert

Hear what Robert J. Sherman has to say about building on his family's musical legacy to usher in a new era of family entertainment. The post Ep. 105: A Spoonful of Music and Optimism with Ro…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 10:33AM

Ep. 105: Robert J. Sherman by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Robert J. Sherman is a London-based songwriter, bookwriter and producer. Musicals include: Love Birds and Bumblescratch. A Spoonful of Sherman is a musical revue created by R…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:15AM
Sunday, July 25, 2021

Ep. 104: The Mis-Education of America with Artist and Activist Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is a Milwaukee-based, multi-disciplinary, American Theater Artist and Advocate. Mr. Maharaj was hailed in The New York Times for his award-winning pla…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 02:00AM
Thursday, July 8, 2021

Ep. 103: Emmy Award-Winner Antoine L. Smith Talks Memphis to MJ by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest A true Broadway presence, Antoine L. Smith made his Broadway debut in Memphis. has also been featured in the Broadway casts of The Color Purple, Cinderella, Miss Saigon, a…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:15AM
Monday, June 28, 2021

Ep. 102: Somewhere That’s Green with Aaron Harrington by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Aaron Harrington is a native of Durham, North Carolina. Theater credits include Audrey II/Voice of the Plant; Off Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors, Tom Collins; RENT 20th …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:00AM
Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Ep. 101: Celebrating Juneteenth and the Fire of Freedom by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guests Mike Wiley - Acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities acros…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:30AM
Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Ep. 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of Beltline to Broadway by Lauren Van Hemert

Be sure to vote for Beltline to Broadway in Indy Week's Best of the Triangle Reader's Poll (Best Facebook Page). https://indyweek.com/indy-weeks-best-of-the-triangle/best-of-the-triangle-202…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:30AM
Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Ep. 99: Andre Jordan Talks Diana, Equity, Diversity, and So Much More by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Andre Jordan is making his Broadway debut in DIANA. National Tours: SHREK THE MUSICAL (Donkey), LEGALLY BLONDE (Carlos), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Zebulon…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 02:40PM
Sunday, May 23, 2021

Ep. 98: (Re)Opening Doors at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts by Lauren Van Hemert

It was just a few weeks ago that I had the chance to walk into the Duke Energy Center for the first time in 14 months. I wasn’t there for a show, but I was there to chat with its Director …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 05:50PM
Monday, May 17, 2021

Ep. 97: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Godspell with the Original off-Broadway Cast by Lauren Van Hemert

In honor of GODSPELL's 50th anniversary, Lauren Van Hemert interviews original cast members from the musical's first production at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Hear stories from all those who ar…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 05:25PM
Monday, May 10, 2021

Ep. 96: Sound Up with Tony Award-Winning Sound Designer Rob Kaplowitz by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Robert Kaplowitz has spent the last twenty-five years designing sound and composing music for theater, and has been honored with an Obie for Sustained Excellence in Sound Des…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 05:56PM
Monday, April 26, 2021

Ep. 95: Where Can I Go? Candid Conversations with Survivors of the Holocaust by Lauren Van Hemert

For many of us, it is difficult to comprehend the overwhelming enormity of the Holocaust and the 6-million Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime during WWII. The historical trauma that i…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 12:45AM
Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Ep. 94: Save Our Stages, Where Do We Go From Here? by Lauren Van Hemert

Back in December, Congress passed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that included more than $900 billion in pandemic relief. This was known as Save Our Stages and those monies were to be distr…

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 01:15AM
Sunday, April 4, 2021

Ep. 93: Racism and AAPI Representation in Theatre by Lauren Van Hemert

About the Guest Thao Nguyen is an Actor/Singer who is comfortable on both the operatic and musical theatre stage. Nguyen is acclaimed by critics for his "velvety baritone and his ease and …

SOURCE: Beltline to Broadway at 03:15PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards