The new podcast As the Curtain Rises, a digital soap opera about the behind-the-scenes drama of the musical Avvatar, has begun releasing new episodes of the series every Thursday. The concept: After news leaks of a top secret mega-musical, the Broadway community goes batty. Will producer Cheryl Philips or Steve Jones get the rights? Will creators Kaye and Bobby finish the show before their marriage implodes? Will director-choreographer Zoey Taylor send the budget into a free fall with her vision? Will Broadway diva Emma-Olivia get a Schmackery’s cookie named in her honor? The drama onstage pales to the drama behind the curtain. You can listen to the trailer below.
The cast includes Alex Brightman (Narrator), Ariana Debose (Zoey Taylor), Andrew Barth Feldman (as himself), James Monroe Iglehart (Steve), Ilana Levine (CAAA Receptionist), Lesli Margherita (Broadway Texter), Mauricio Martinez (Thomas), Ashley Park (Kay), George Salazar (Maxwell Fernsby), Jacob Smith (Randolph, Lyft Driver, N’avi Ticket Buyer, Barista), Sarah Stiles (Emma-Olivia), Michael Urie (Bobby), and Lillias White (Cheryl), featuring Danny Marin (Soul Cycle Instructor), Mark Peikert (Box Office Manager) and Alan Seales (Alexis), with special appearances by Matt Britten, David Korins, Natasha Katz, Alex Lacamoire, Lynn Nottage, and Jordan Roth.
The creative team includes Dori Berinstein (book and lyrics, direction), Mark Peikert (book), Matthew Sklar (music), and Bart Fasbender (sound design). The series was created and recorded entirely in quarantine and supports the Actors Fund and the BPN Frontline Worker Initiative.