eleven

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The official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. Hosted by William J Connolly elevenpodcast.com @elevenPodcast

6 DAYS AGO

Kelsee Kimmel

She’s belted her way through SIX, Rent, Pretty Woman and Kinky Boots — and now she’s taking the wheel in the final chapter of Alicia Keys’ smash-hit, semi-autobiographical mega-musical, Hell’s Kitchen. But how do you sum up a journey that’s taken her from standby to leading role — stepping into the spotlight after stars like Shoshana Bean and Jessica Vosk? In this exclusive conversation direct from her New York home, we talk stepping into “the hardest role” of her life, the pure joy of going full throttle with a “loud and high” character like Jersey, and why stretching her voice and emotional bandwidth eight shows a week is something she’s leaning into — even when it’s tough! We talk the musical’s deep connection with young women, why “Pawn It All” is the moment she gets to completely “unleash” every night, and what it meant to receive validation from actual Alicia Keys — including that now-iconic curtain-call performance together — in a true full-circle moment. Plus, we celebrate the power of swings and standbys, the importance of being honest about when your instrument isn’t at its best and why sharing the stage with co-stars like Ne-Yo and Yolanda Adams meant everything. And those backstage guests? Patti LaBelle? Michelle Obama? Shania Twain? Dionne Warwick? Susan Sarandon? Cynthia Erivo? Casual. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell hellskitchen.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 3m
24 JAN

Denise Gough

For this Olivier winner and Tony nominee, theatre isn’t a career choice — it’s survival. It’s the place that held her when nothing else could, the place that quite literally saved her.From her time outside theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue to seeing her own face illuminated above their very doors, it’s a career of absolute dedication to her craft matched with a showering of recognition from both industry and audiences alike.And now, as she steps into a new world – a kinder and more generous one to her soul, albeit still putting her work first – she takes to the stage in the premiere of High Noon, opposite the Billy Crudup.In this exclusive conversation, she opens up about becoming Amy in Thea Sharrock and Eric Roth’s new play High Noon — the power of inhabiting a character not driven by trauma, grounding herself in peace, and finding her voice again through singing for the first time in 30 years.We also return to her seismic performance as Emma in People, Places and Things — “the work of my life,” in her own words — and why theatre will always be a place of profound healing for her. Plus, how she draws inspiration from the fearless brilliance of industry peers like now Oscar-nominee, Jessie Buckley.And in a raw, breathtaking final moment, she shares how the nightly ritual of live theatre “continues to save my life daily.”The Gough Theatre? We should all be so honoured. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell highnoontheplay.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

58 min
19 JAN

Tye Blue

As Titanique marks its milestone first anniversary in London’s West End and Broadway sets sail this Spring, the Olivier-winning director and co-writer invites us inside his brilliantly unhinged mind to reveal how his love for the ultimate Canadian music icon helped build a global theatrical phenomenon. We dive into the show’s key development stages — from cut songs and jokes that didn’t survive the final draft to the iconic leading ladies who’ve steered the production around the world — and why no two performances aboard the Ship of Dreams are ever the same. He also unpacks the joyful chaos of the improv section, shares some of his favourite outrageous moments from the original Céline and co-creator Marla Mindelle, and explains why “punching up” is essential when making a show of this style — including how Titanique always honours the lives lost on the infamous ship. Plus: how a bottle of wine and a “what if?” launched Broadway dreams, the alternate titles that nearly happened, and what he thinks Céline herself would make of it all. Note: This episode was recorded before the announcement of Titanique setting sail on Broadway this Spring. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell titaniquemusical.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

54 min
10/11/2025

Stefanie Jones

Meet one of Australia’s finest leading ladies taking on the title role in the UK and Ireland’s touring production of Mary Poppins, reprising her practically perfect role having been lauded with praise for her portrayal down under. We dive into the welcomed pressures of continuing the legacy of “absolute queen” Julie Andrews, fast approaching 1,000 performers globally and why nothing can compare the feeling of taking flight at the end of each performance and seeing small audience members smiling back - and maybe some rather tearful parents, too! Plus we there’s good in everyone, as Mary is determined to teach each and every show. Playing the most famous nanny in history? “A perfect, wonderful experience!” Spit, spot! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell marypoppins.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

47 min
21/10/2025

Casey Nicholaw

Meet the Olivier and Tony-winning genius director and choreographer turning his hand to the official stage adaptation of 50 First Dates: The Musical – which is now playing a limited run at The Other Palace in London. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell theotherpalace.co.uk/50-first-dates-the-musical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 min
13/10/2025

Eva Noblezada & Reeve Carney

To celebrate their official opening back in London… the Kit Kat Club’s newest dream pairing of Sally Bowles and the Emcee on the “exhilarating task” of joining the West End production of Cabaret, the power and vitality of a story like this for a 2025/26 audience and why they continue to be inspired by each other's performances each and every day. We also dive into their return to the world of Hadestown earlier this year to record the live captured recording in London - and the welcomed creative task of not replicating their performances of Orpheus and Eurydice, but expanding it. Plus, we uplift the celebration of difference in live performance, dismissing the false demands for note-perfect singing and why they believe “art always meets the moment”. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell kitkat.club/cabaret-london Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

39 min
18/09/2025

Joy Woods

The Tony nominee and Broadway leading star on heading to UK shores to star in Songs For A New World: The 30th Anniversary Concert - conducted by none other than Jason Robert Brown. We also talk all things Gypsy on Broadway, her history-making, Tony-celebrated time as Louise in that production (including a special guest question from actual Laura Benanti!) and the “honour” of having a front row seat to Audra McDonald’s performance as Rose. We also dive into the hard reality of fierce expectation thanks to her global virtual moments and how crippling that can really be, why the phenomenon of “the hardest song I’ve ever sung” with My Days in The Notebook wasn’t as easy ride as you’d first expect - and why she wants to move past the need for “pretty” vocals and focus on both heart and story, together. Plus, why showing up and doing your best counts for everything! Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell lambertjackson.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
18/09/2025

Matt Henry

The history-making Olivier winner and London stage star on bringing his own touch of magic to fashion icon Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada stage adaption, collaborating with musical legends like Sir Elton John, Jerry Mitchell and Vanessa Williams, and why life at Runway is anything but a bore. Plus we celebrate the release of the Original West End Cast Recording, transferring his moving song Seen from stage to studio and why the importance of that very song isn’t ever lost on him. We also revisit his historic Olivier win, how Not My Fathers Son from Kinky Boots opened up a conversation between audience and artist about the power of difference - and why The Actors House remains one of his proudest achievements. Host: William J Connolly Produced by: William J Connolly/Darren Bell devilwearspradamusical.com theactorshouse.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min

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The official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. Hosted by William J Connolly elevenpodcast.com @elevenPodcast