Ilana Levine

Shows

Episodes

  1. Episode 522 - Zach Heinzerling

    Aug 24

    Episode 522 - Zach Heinzerling

    Zach Heinzerling is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director based in New York City. He began his career at HBO working on four consecutive Emmy Award-winning documentaries and the Emmy Award-winning series “24/7” as a Field Producer and Cinematographer. In 2012, he left HBO to complete his feature debut, the multi-award-winning film, “Cutie and the Boxer”, which he both directed and shot. “Cutie and the Boxer” was nominated for the 2014 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film also won a 2015 Emmy Award for Best Feature Documentary. In 2015 he was enlisted by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to direct the five-part web series “Self-Titled” for her album, “Beyoncé.” In 2019 he directed an episode of “Dirty Money” for Netflix. In 2021, he directed the critically acclaimed 6-part series “McCartney 3,2,1” starring Sir Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin for Hulu. Salon called it “quite simply, the most engaging documentary ever made about the songwriting exploits of popular music’s most successful composer.” His latest docu series entitled “Rafa” is a four part show for  HBO  that follows Nadal through his final professional season. He is also the director of  “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult of Sarah Lawrence”  which the The New Yorker calls “a remarkable work, advancing the prestige true-crime genre’s slow but steady reorientation toward centering victims,” while Variety raved “…with a startling rawness and directness, Heinzerling’s work makes a case for itself as an unusually sensitive and strong outing in its genre.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Episode 104 - George Salazar

    07/23/2018

    Episode 104 - George Salazar

    George Salazar is best known for originating the role of "Michael Mell" in Be More Chill (coming to the Signature off-Broadway this summer) and for his Drama Desk-nominated performance in off-Broadway's The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. He was previously seen off-Broadway in Keen Company's Drama Desk-nominated revival of tick, tick... BOOM! and in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's hit off-Broadway immersive musical, Here Lies Love. George made his Broadway debut singing "Light of the World" in the 2011 Revival of Godspell and toured with the second national company of Spring Awakening prior to that. Regional credits include the world premiere of Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz's Be More Chill, the world premiere of Joe Iconis, Lance Rubin, and Jason "SweetTooth" Williams' Broadway Bounty Hunter, the world premiere of Raging Skillet, and "Chip Tolentino" in ...Putnam County Spelling Bee. He was also a cast member of the 10th Annual CBS Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles. George's TV credits include CBS' BULL, HBO's DIVORCE, & appearances on CBS' LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, ABC'S THE VIEW, OWN'S THE ROSIE SHOW, and the 2012 TONY AWARDS telecast. He appears on various recordings including GEORGE SALAZAR AND JOE ICONIS: TWO-PLAYER GAME (Ghostlight), BE MORE CHILL (Ghostlight), THE LIGHTNING THIEF (Broadway Records), GODSPELL (Sh-K-Boom), BROOKLYN CRUSH (Broadway Records) and MOMENT BY MOMENT. For more information, follow him on Instagram and Twitter @georgesalazar or visit his website at www.thegeorgesalazar.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Episode 136 - Daryl Roth

    03/11/2019

    Episode 136 - Daryl Roth

    In this episode Ilana sat down with her friend and the producer of the first play Ilana ever did in New York, Tony Award winner - Daryl Roth. Roth is an award-winning theatre producer and President of Daryl Roth Productions. She is honored to hold the singular distinction of producing seven Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County (2008 Tony Award); Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award); How I Learned to Drive; Proof (2001 Tony Award); Edward Albee’sThree Tall Women; and Wit. The proud recipient of ten Tony Awards and London’s Olivier Award, highlights of her over 100 award winning productions both on and off Broadway include: The Tony and Olivier Award winning musical Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. Tour, London, Toronto, Australia, Korea, Japan); Bea Arthur on Broadway; Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s Caroline, or Change; Closer Than Ever; Curtains; Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (2002 Tony Award); The Humans (2016 Tony Award); Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore; Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart (2011 Tony Award); A Raisin in the Sun (2014 Tony Award); Shuffle Along; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; A View from the Bridge (2016 Tony); War Horse (2011 Tony Award); Wiesenthal; The Year of Magical Thinking; and De La Guarda, which ran for 7 years as the inaugural production at the Daryl Roth Theatre, a landmark building in Manhattan’s Union Square. Upcoming Broadway productions include Paula Vogel’s Indecent; Groundhog Day; Hello, Dolly starring Bette Midler; Present Laughter starring Kevin Kline; and Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close. Film credits include My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story a documentary exploring the relationships of well-known New Yorkers and their dogs.  Ms. Roth is a newly appointed member of the New York City Police Foundation Board of Trustees, a member of the Mayor’s Theater Subdistrict Council, an Honorary Trustee for Lincoln Center Theatre, and was twice included in Crain’s “100 MostInfluential Women in Business.” Recent honors include: The Order of the Golden Sphinx award from The Harvard Hasty Pudding Institute; New York Living Landmarks award; Humanitarian Award from the Women's Division and Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Broadway Association Visionary Leader Award; Family Equality Council Family Award; Live Out Loud Humanitarian Award; and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. She enjoys supporting a diverse group of charitable and cultural institutions, and is active in LGBTQ rights causes, animal rights, and support for the arts.  Ms. Roth is married to real estate developer Steven Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Episode 112 - Eduardo Braniff

    09/24/2018

    Episode 112 - Eduardo Braniff

    Eduardo Braniff was a hugely successful CEO and creative director of one of the largest global design firms in the world and then he decided he wanted to change course. That decision has taken him on a journey that includes working with the legendary cellist  Yo -Yo Ma to create "Silkroad," a music and learning collective. As an avid supporter of the arts Eduardo serves  on the boards of Independent Shakespeare Company and other organizations that focus on the arts and the LGBTQ community.  He is the founder and editor in chief of @MensVows a digital magazine dedicated to supporting men who marry.  Eduardo is also  a certified  life coach working with creatives to help them understand that they are naturally resourceful , creative and whole and can make their professional dreams a reality. Eduardo A. Braniff is the executive Director of Silkroad, the music and learning collective founded by Yo-Yo Ma. Before joining Silkroad’s staff, he served as a board director of Silkroad and was CEO & Creative Director of the global design firm Imagination. His work has consistently leveraged the value of multiple disciplines towards influencing culture. Additionally, Eduardo is a certified life coach focused on working with the creative community. He lives in Los Angeles where he is an avid supporter of the arts serving on the boards of Independent Shakespeare Company and L.A.N.D. Los Angeles Nomadic Division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Episode 248 - Annabelle Gurwitch

    05/17/2021

    Episode 248 - Annabelle Gurwitch

    Annabelle Gurwitch is an actress, activist, and New York Times bestselling author of five books including her latest You're Leaving When, Adventures in Downward Mobility. Other books include: I See You Made an Effort (a Thurber Prize finalist), Wherever You Go, There They Are; and Fired! (also a Showtime Comedy Special). She’s written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, amongst other publications and is currently adapting You're Leaving When? for HBO, centering on her Los Angeles Times op-ed about hosting an at-risk housing insecure couple in her home which was recognized with a 2020 Los Angeles Press Club excellence in journalism award. Gurwitch was the longtime cohost of Dinner & a Movie on TBS; a regular commentator on NPR; and host of WA$TED for the Discovery Channel. Her acting credits include: The World Premiere of Donald Margulies' Coney Island Christmas, The West Coast Premiere of Wendy MacLeod's Women in Jeopardy, and the West Coast Premiere of David Greenspan's Go Back to Where You Are. Her performance in the title role of Joe and Betty off Broadway and in Los Angeles won her inclusion in "The Top Ten Performances of the Year in Theater" in both The New York and LA Times. Other credits include: Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Boston Legal, Dexter, and Melvin Goes to Dinner. She performs her stories with The Moth and at arts centers around the country. Gurwitch lives in Los Angeles and co-hosts the Tiny Victories podcast on the Maximum Fun Podcast Network, which Vulture called a “bright spot of light and laughter in 2020.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. Episode 190 - George Salazar Returns

    03/30/2020

    Episode 190 - George Salazar Returns

    George Salazar is best known for originating the role of "Michael Mell" in Be More Chill (coming to the Signature off-Broadway this summer) and for his Drama Desk-nominated performance in off-Broadway's The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.  Most recently starred in the Pasadena Playhouse production of Little Shop of Horrors. He was previously seen off-Broadway in Keen Company's Drama Desk-nominated revival of tick, tick... BOOM! and in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's hit off-Broadway immersive musical, Here Lies Love. George made his Broadway debut singing "Light of the World" in the 2011 Revival of Godspell and toured with the second national company of Spring Awakening prior to that. Regional credits include the world premiere of Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz's Be More Chill, the world premiere of Joe Iconis, Lance Rubin, and Jason "SweetTooth" Williams' Broadway Bounty Hunter, the world premiere of Raging Skillet, and "Chip Tolentino" in ...Putnam County Spelling Bee. He was also a cast member of the 10th Annual CBS Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles. George's TV credits include CBS' BULL, HBO's DIVORCE, & appearances on CBS' LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, ABC'S THE VIEW, OWN'S THE ROSIE SHOW, and the 2012 TONY AWARDS telecast. He appears on various recordings including GEORGE SALAZAR AND JOE ICONIS: TWO-PLAYER GAME (Ghostlight), BE MORE CHILL (Ghostlight), THE LIGHTNING THIEF (Broadway Records), GODSPELL (Sh-K-Boom), BROOKLYN CRUSH (Broadway Records) and MOMENT BY MOMENT. For more information, follow him on Instagram and Twitter @georgesalazar or visit his website at www.thegeorgesalazar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. Episode 133 - Jason Moore

    02/18/2019

    Episode 133 - Jason Moore

    Jason Moore most recently directed the Broadway musical The Cher Show, which showcases Cher's life story brought to the stage featuring her beloved chart-topping hits. Starring Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks, Micaela Diamond and Jarrod Spector, with costumes by designer Bob Mackie, The Cher Show will began previews in November 2018 at the Neil Simon Theatre prior to the opening night on December 3, 2018. In addition, he’s currently directing Superhero at the Second Stage theatre which is set to begin on January 31, 2019. Starring Kate Baldwin, Kyle Mcarthur and Bryce Pinkham, Superhero is a deeply human new musical about a fractured family, the mysterious stranger in apartment 4-B, and the unexpected hero who just might save the day. Moore’s feature directorial debut, Pitch Perfect, starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow, was both a critical and commercial success. Written by Kay Cannon, the film premiered in 2012 and follows Beca, a freshman at Barden University, who is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition. Recently, Moore directed Sisters, starring Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph, written by Paula Pell. The film was released on December 18, 2015 by Universal Pictures. He will next direct and produce Hair Wars for Fox 2000, a musical project based on a real competition where hair salons face off, and Lionsgate’s Goodbye for Now, an adaptation of the Laurie Frankel novel.   Moore is also the creative force behind some of Broadway’s biggest hits. Most recently, he directed Fully Committed, the restaurant-world comedy by Becky Mode starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who takes on over 40 characters in this one-man comedy set at Manhattan's number-one restaurant.  Additionally, his previous theater projects include Shrek the Musical, for which he earned Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk award nominations; Steel Magnolias; and Avenue Q, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. Furthermore, he directed Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall and the off-Broadway hits Speech and Debate, Avenue Q, Guardians and The Crumple Zone, as well as, Tales of the City, with music by the Scissor Sisters, which premiered at the American Conservatory Theater. Moore’s previous television directorial credits include episodes of “Dawson's Creek,” “Everwood,” “One Tree Hill,” “Brothers and Sisters,” and “Trophy Wife.” Moore divides his time between New York and Los Angeles and received a B.A. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. Episode 65 - Cazzie David & Elisa Kalani

    10/17/2017

    Episode 65 - Cazzie David & Elisa Kalani

    Cazzie David, daughter of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator Larry David, was followed by TMZ the day she moved into her college dorm.  Any hopes for an anonymous matriculation were blown immediately -- and most of the students Cazzie encountered on campus weren't quite sure how to interact with the child of a major Hollywood star.  The one person who didn't seem to be nonplussed by it all was Elisa Kalani. In her refreshingly straight forward manner, Elisa acknowledged how wonderful -- and strange -- it was to have Cazzie at the school. The two freshmen became fast friends and have remained the best of friends ever since those first surreal days. Cazzie and Elisa, co-creators of the critically acclaimed web series "Eighty-Sixed," chat with Ilana about their work and what it means to be "millennials."  Elisa and Cazzie describe their relationship to technology as second nature -- but as millennials they are actually on the cusp; they lived a life before having all of these technological advances and social media so they know life before and after Snapchat. "Eighty-Sixed," as described by Cazzie, is simultaneously critical of her generation and sympathetic.  In other words, it's honest, real and of course hilarious. These two young, smart writers go in depth with Ilana about what it was like doing a project that shot in Larry David’s home -- but didn’t involve Larry David! Cazzie shares what it feels like being the child of a famous father -- and they both discuss what’s next for them. These brilliant young women are  taking Hollywood by storm on their own terms with their unique take on what it’s like to be in your 20’s in America today. The two met their first week at Emerson College and forged a friendship that has turned into a prolific creative partnership since graduating. Here is what critics had to say about this spotlight  into the world of millennial break ups. "(DAVID’S) BRITTLE, DEADPAN CHARISMA IS INNATELY WATCHABLE, AND THERE ARE FEW FULL-LENGTH SHOWS SUCCESSFULLY MINING THE COMPLEX NORMS AND PRESSURES OF SOCIAL-MEDIA ETIQUETTE THROUGH A COMEDIC LENS." — NY MAGA "CAZZIE DAVID MIGHT BE THE NEXT VOICE OF A GENERATION...SHE [REMI] IS NOT HERE TO IMPRESS YOU. AND WE'RE SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED." — REFINERY29 "WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT EIGHTY-SIXED IS THAT IT NEVER FEELS LIKE IT’S TRYING TOO HARD. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF OVERLY AMBITIOUS WEB SERIES, BUT THIS ONE IS FULLY SELF-AWARE AND DELIGHTFULLY WRY." — DECIDER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  9. Episode 79 - Lesli Margherita

    01/23/2018

    Episode 79 - Lesli Margherita

    An Olivier Award winner for her West End debut as Inez in ZORRO THE MUSICAL, Lesli made her Broadway debut originating the role of Mrs. Wormwood in MATILDA THE MUSICAL. After over 1000 performances, she bid farewell to the Broadway company of Matilda and crossed the street to The Helen Hayes to star as the diva Mona Kent in the Broadway premiere of Randy Skinner's DAMES AT SEA. In September 2016, Lesli returned to the role she originated to close out the Broadway run of MATILDA. Lesli currently recurs on three television dramas: Homeland (Showtime), Instinct (CBS), and Seven Seconds (Netflix). This past fall she starred opposite Topher Grace, Taye Diggs & JC Chasez in the feature film "Opening Night" which can be seen on Netflix following its theatrical release. Born and raised in California, Lesli trained at UCLA and was soon after chosen to star in MGM's television series "Fame LA" directed by Kenny Ortega. She has gone on to star and recur on numerous television shows and pilots including "Donny!", "The Good Wife", "Major Crimes", "The Suite Life On Deck", "Charmed", "NYPD Blue", and "On The Lot", produced by Steven Spielberg. Film credits include the movie musical 'Opening Night' opposite Topher Grace & Taye Diggs, 'Lucky Stiff' with Jason Alexander, Joel Schumacher's 'The Number 23', and the Sam Raimi produced 'Boogeyman 2'. Lesli's voice can also be heard on several animated films and shows including Disney's 'Cinderella 3' and Nickelodeon's "Sponge Bob Squarepants". Regional stage credits include Adelaide in GUYS & DOLLS (Bucks County Playhouse), Signora Psyche Zinobia in A SCYTHE OF TIME (NYMF; Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role), Esmeralda in HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Sacramento Music Circus), Lilli / Kate in KISS ME KATE (Reprise; Ovation Award - Best Actress), THE GRONHOLM METHOD (The Falcon ; Ovation nom. - Best Ensemble), Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA opposite Davis Gaines (MTW; Ovation nom. & LADCC nom - Best Actress), Julie in SHOWBOAT (Goodspeed Opera), Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (La Mirada), Lady of the Lake in SPAMALOT opposite Gary Beach (Sacramento Music Circus), Ilona in SHE LOVES ME (CLOSBC), the West Coast Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE (Blank Theatre), Rated RSO (Boston Court), and Gloria in DAMN YANKEES(Reprise; dir. Jason Alexander). Lesli is a published author with two books currently available on iTune and Amazon: NECK PUNCH and CARRY ON: Advice from the "Queen", a series of 'inspirational' messages inspired from her Twitter feed (@QueenLesli). (debuted at #1 on the Humor charts) and BLU!, about a unique lobster who teaches us that we are all special. She is the creator/star of 'Looks Not Books' and 'Ship Happens' the popular backstage vlogs commissioned by Broadway.com which can also be seen on YouTube. Lesli's critically acclaimed solo shows RULE YOUR KINGDOM, ALL HAIL THE QUEEN​, BROAD continue to play to crowds across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices