Share
))
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
…
continue reading
Manage episode 522520894 series 3317264
Content provided by Audioboom and Radio St. Pete. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Radio St. Pete or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
In this episode of Big Broadway Energy, host Stephen Riordan sits down with actor-musicians Tristan Braboy and Morgan Tapp, the stars of American Stage’s upcoming production of The Magi. Continuing a season defined by the fusion of vibrant characters and evocative music, Stephen explores how this new adaptation blends theatrical storytelling with an intimate acoustic sound.
The conversation kicks off with Morgan reflecting on her recent work in Hundred Days, where she built a bespoke multi-instrumental track from scratch—harmonica surprises and all—offering a rare glimpse into the freedom and terror of crafting a role without a prescribed script. Tristan shares the joy of returning to his hometown stage after performing and touring across the country, describing his American Stage journey as a full-circle artistic homecoming.
Together, the trio dives into The Magi, an original musical adaptation of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, reimagined with contemporary characters, raw emotional stakes, and a coffeehouse acoustic vibe. With original music by Eli Pafumi and a deeply human script by Helen R. Murray, the show merges the intimacy of a concert with the emotional resonance of a play. The actors discuss what it's like rehearsing with the playwright in the room, the creative freedom they’ve been given, and the universal themes of artists balancing ambition, love, and compromise.
The discussion then widens to the actors’ personal relationships with music—how being musicians shapes their presence on stage, deepens their acting, and helps them build characters from the inside out. As Stephen notes, their musicality isn’t just a skill—it’s the soul of their performances.
The episode closes with the signature question: What does art mean to you?
Morgan speaks to art as a pathway to empathy and connection, while Tristan reflects on art as “life itself,” present in every detail of the world around us. Their answers are a reminder—especially needed in tough times—of why artistic work matters and why it keeps communities vibrant.
The Magi runs December 4–21 at American Stage, offering a warm, nontraditional, music-filled holiday experience.
💌 Got a guest suggestion or want to share your Broadway energy? Email Stephen at [email protected].
Tagline:
Be kind, be curious, and keep creating. Until next time, friends.
🎭 The music version of Big Broadway Energy airs Sundays at 5 PM onRadioStPete.com + Sunshine 96.7 FM in St. Petersburg, FL, with an encore the following Saturday at 4PM on St Pete Sounds found on RadioStPete.com.
ABOUT STEPHEN RIORDAN Stephen Riordan is an arts professional with over 25 years of experience as an actor, director, producer, writer, host, and casting director. He has worked on both Broadway and off-Broadway productions in New York, as well as extensively throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Recently, Stephen co-founded the Dead Canary Theatre Company with two fellow artists in St. Petersburg, and DCT is now the resident company at The Studio @ 620 in Downtown St. Petersburg. Every Sunday at 5 p.m., Stephen shares his thoughts on his favorite Broadway shows, songs, and stars on "Big Broadway Energy." His podcast of the same name features theater professionals and educators who are committed to keeping the arts at the forefront of the Tampa Bay community.
#BigBroadwayEnergy #The Magi #TristanBrayboy #StPeteTheater #TampaBayArts #SupportLocalTheater #TheaterCommunity #IndieTheater #BroadwayEnergy #TheaterLife
#ActorDirectorProducer #ArtMatters #FloridaTheaterScene
#ArtsInStPete #OffBroadwayVibes #TheateratChristmas #AmericanStage
The conversation kicks off with Morgan reflecting on her recent work in Hundred Days, where she built a bespoke multi-instrumental track from scratch—harmonica surprises and all—offering a rare glimpse into the freedom and terror of crafting a role without a prescribed script. Tristan shares the joy of returning to his hometown stage after performing and touring across the country, describing his American Stage journey as a full-circle artistic homecoming.
Together, the trio dives into The Magi, an original musical adaptation of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, reimagined with contemporary characters, raw emotional stakes, and a coffeehouse acoustic vibe. With original music by Eli Pafumi and a deeply human script by Helen R. Murray, the show merges the intimacy of a concert with the emotional resonance of a play. The actors discuss what it's like rehearsing with the playwright in the room, the creative freedom they’ve been given, and the universal themes of artists balancing ambition, love, and compromise.
The discussion then widens to the actors’ personal relationships with music—how being musicians shapes their presence on stage, deepens their acting, and helps them build characters from the inside out. As Stephen notes, their musicality isn’t just a skill—it’s the soul of their performances.
The episode closes with the signature question: What does art mean to you?
Morgan speaks to art as a pathway to empathy and connection, while Tristan reflects on art as “life itself,” present in every detail of the world around us. Their answers are a reminder—especially needed in tough times—of why artistic work matters and why it keeps communities vibrant.
The Magi runs December 4–21 at American Stage, offering a warm, nontraditional, music-filled holiday experience.
💌 Got a guest suggestion or want to share your Broadway energy? Email Stephen at [email protected].
Tagline:
Be kind, be curious, and keep creating. Until next time, friends.
🎭 The music version of Big Broadway Energy airs Sundays at 5 PM onRadioStPete.com + Sunshine 96.7 FM in St. Petersburg, FL, with an encore the following Saturday at 4PM on St Pete Sounds found on RadioStPete.com.
ABOUT STEPHEN RIORDAN Stephen Riordan is an arts professional with over 25 years of experience as an actor, director, producer, writer, host, and casting director. He has worked on both Broadway and off-Broadway productions in New York, as well as extensively throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Recently, Stephen co-founded the Dead Canary Theatre Company with two fellow artists in St. Petersburg, and DCT is now the resident company at The Studio @ 620 in Downtown St. Petersburg. Every Sunday at 5 p.m., Stephen shares his thoughts on his favorite Broadway shows, songs, and stars on "Big Broadway Energy." His podcast of the same name features theater professionals and educators who are committed to keeping the arts at the forefront of the Tampa Bay community.
#BigBroadwayEnergy #The Magi #TristanBrayboy #StPeteTheater #TampaBayArts #SupportLocalTheater #TheaterCommunity #IndieTheater #BroadwayEnergy #TheaterLife
#ActorDirectorProducer #ArtMatters #FloridaTheaterScene
#ArtsInStPete #OffBroadwayVibes #TheateratChristmas #AmericanStage
9623 episodes
