Jelani Remy Steps Into the NextGen Spotlight!

0:00Hi y'all, this is Kristen Chenowick. Hi, I'm Gloria Stiffen. This is Sarah Burowis. Hi, I'm Patty LePone. This is Lynn Menwar Miranda. You're listening to the Broadway podcast network. How are you? Are you ready? It's the round table with me, Robert Bannon. How are you, my friend? I'm doing really well. Really good. Really excited about next week. I know. So listen, so let's get started. Yeah. I'm having the hair just was not working today. You know, it just was not. Wait, is that making many behind you? It is. Yes, that was for my wedding anniversary, excuse me, for my wedding, my very good friends. They couldn't come. They had that done for me. They had it painted. That's beautiful. I just got back from a Disney vacation club gig. Yeah, it was very special. They're exciting. And they got to sing with Susan Egan and Paige O'Hara. Yeah, it was pretty iconic. Oh my god, was it out at D23 in California? No, we just got back from Norway.

1:00Actually, it was pretty exciting because it's celebrating Frozen's anniversary. Huntback, Lion King, it was a whole thing. So I got it was so special. So special for you. Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, well, let's get started here. All right, round tableers, we have an amazing guest with us. He is a friend of our show. He is an amazingly talented human being. And we just love him. Everyone, please welcome Jolani. Yeah. Hello, round table. Have you spooky season to all who celebrate? Yes, yes. You know, it's so funny. I was like, okay, I have to put away the summer stuff. I have to break out the spooky season. So it's time. It's time. I'm ready for it. Bring on the pumpkin. Bring on the pumpkin. And then September 17th, we're bringing on the talent. We're bringing on the new. Listen, this is a special night. And this is really special for you because you're kind of going behind the scenes here. Not only, I mean, you are producing this and you're directing this. Oh, well, don't get it twisted. I'm also hosting it. And I will be hosting a Christchurch

2:01sector. I'm sure that's right. So this is our fifth year of this show called Spotlight, which is my opportunity to basically present like the Rare Pokemon. You know, I want to use my platform to highlight the next generation of artists and storytellers, choreographers, and new works and give them a night to celebrate. So this came together during the pandemic. I don't want to say the word, but I'll say a pandemic. I did it first virtually. I wanted to give us an outlet and give us something to do, but also to give back. And Broadway Care has given me so many opportunities of being a director and being a creative. And I thought, what can I do to show the future and to highlight what's to come and to be creative, but also to leave things a little better than I found it. And we've come up with this idea of Spotlight. And it's sharing the Spotlight and passing it on and finding the little jams and the people that are on the brink of stardom. And it's grown and grown and grown. And I'm so proud of it because it's colorful.

3:05It's diverse. It's different. And it's like it's what you don't expect. You know, you get to see live, you become part of the show, because we don't do anything half. It's always full out. And I'm really pleased that this year's September 17th at the Greenham 42 at 7 p.m. You can have a live streamer or a common person, but it is a show not to be missed. That is so fantastic. I love that so much. Hey, that you can live stream it because sometimes people are like, I don't want to make it in. And everyone from around the country, because we have a lot of different people, even the world that watch our shows. So you can get your virtual tickets too. So buy those tickets. And I'll give you a special shout out as well. Oh, yeah. See? Look at that. I love that. You know, I want to ask you, what is it like for you now, you know, taking this on and doing this? How do you find this talent? Where do you do? What is your process? Like, how do you find these amazing new, you know, people to come? So one thing about me is I stay very active socially. I have a very active social life. They call me the mayor of Broadway, right? So I now keep my eyes and ears open.

4:07And I'm paying attention to who's coming up and who's doing what and who's in what show. So like someone like Regina Sofia who made her Broadway debut in chess. I spotted her and music leader Wichita. You know, when I was out there doing great night for singing, which also leads me to my new best friend, Tulu LaNus, who's going to be in the show as well as our triple threat spotlight. But I saw them and I saw them shine and I saw them perform. And then also to meet them as people, I was like, you have to be, I keep a roll of decks. I write it down. And so I also am a theater supporter. So I go to see all the shows and I pay attention. I scout out and that's how I found a lot of our talent. And I'm really thrilled to share them with you all. You know, I love that because and not that we don't enjoy having big stars and whatnot, because we want to bring people to Broadway because Broadway really can use a little boost, you know, especially now. Or I mean, now we have the new season coming up and it's very exciting. And you see all the big things. But I even remember when I was younger and I first went, it wasn't really about that.

5:08It was about the performance. And I think something like this spotlight is so important because you see people who may not be well known yet. And then you hear them sing and perform and you're like, oh my gosh, what are they going to do next? That's right. And more so you get to say that you knew them when you saw them there. You saw them at spotlight. You know, you had that moment. And I love how intimate it is. I love that it's one night only. And I also love that it, yes, you're going to see these folks really shine, but you're also giving back to Broadway cares that help men, women and children all over the country, all over the world, you know, with meal delivery services, with medication, food banks, they help in all 50 states and Puerto Rico with women's health issues, disaster relief. And I just can get such a worthy cause and a great night. And it's just so near and dear to my heart. And it's just I can't I am so excited about it. It's I love it. I love the passion. It's so what you've always had, my friend. You've always had that. And I think Broadway cares is so important because it does cover so many different things for those that really need to help. And I love when I when I go to a show and all of a sudden, you know,

6:08they do the curtain call and then they're like, okay. And then the bucket comes out. And then it's so great. And I love it. It's so great because it just gives you such an amazing feeling because even if you give $5, even if you give 25 bucks, because some people make a difference. It makes a difference. It makes a difference. And you're helping you know, because sometimes I think in today's world, you know, people feel helpless like, what can I do? That $5 will help someone. And I think that's one dollar. That one dollar worth someone every little bit counts. And you know, also for me from Broadway cares, but they also do for me is they're letting me explore my director hat. You know, they're letting me explain. You know, I've done so many shows and I love doing shows. And but this opportunity I get to direct. You know, I get to and I get to fine tune. I get to create it. I get to sculpt it. And every year has been so different, which I love. Every year has had such a different vibe, a different attitude, a different theme. And like this one is is is no, no different. You know, it's really interesting to find the variety and to find the freshness and the newness and to make every show custom and different.

7:10So happy, Cynthia, to spotlight. Yes. And that's kind of exciting for you because you're like, I'm not, you know, not too much pressure, but it's like, but I think you thrive in that. It's a lot of pressure. But I love the pressure, but yes, it's pressure, but I have an amazing team behind me with my next day network led by Jack knows where the end of the human. They are like my, they're right here and they hold me up. And so I have a team behind me of a wonderful, incredible people that, um, yeah, I can't take all the credit, but I can take most. But I can't take all the credit for sure. I mean, and I mean, I would be remiss because I remember, you know, I, I saw you in Broadway. You were Simba in the Lion King. You were, you know, Eddie Kendrickson, A2 Proud, which was such a phenomenal show. I mean, and back to the future, you had dual roles like everything that, everything that you do, it's just, you're just, your, your star is just skyrocketing. You know what I mean? Thank you. What, what do you, when you, when you take on a role, what is something that you

8:11look for? And also, is there something that you want that you haven't done or haven't seen that would you would like to see on Broadway? I mean, oh, that's tough. I mean, there's many things. There's also something in the works that I want to share with you so bad. And then eventually I will be able to, okay. Well, you have to come back then. There's always more to come, but like, can I tell Luther Vandross' story maybe? Yes, please. So you know what I'm saying? Um, but, oh my God, can I be sure I know when that happens? Like, are you kidding? If please be there, please be there. Um, but I want to look for an overall is, is how to put myself, how to put Jolani into it, right? Especially like with roles like Eddie Kendrickson or Mayor Goldie Wilson, he's iconic and Simba, these roles that people actually know. You know, these are, these are, these are things that people grew up with. And then they know. So how do I pay homage to the OG, to the plan, to the blueprint, but then sprinkle something in that's going to be unique to myself. And it comes with trial and error. It comes with, um, you know, trusting your directors, it comes with time.

9:12It comes with, um, just exploring. So that's hopefully what I like to, um, leave a little bit of these characters, putting myself and my soul into it. Well, I love that so much. And you know, you also do a lot for the, for the community as well. You, you really take on like mentoring and whatnot. Now what is important to you? You know what? It's because that's what happened to me. You know, my mom's a school teacher should have all the teachers back there. Happy back to school, back to school. But education has always been super important to me because it's that, that person that finds a spark and puts that energy and that, that drive into another human being and to have a little bit of a, of a thumbprint of the next generation of storytellers and artists that, um, that means so much to me. You know, because us as artists have the opportunity to bring people together, you know, to, to unite a group of people for two hours and 46 minutes with an intermission. Um, we're all one and there's no greater feeling than having that. You know, no matter where you're from, what you, you know, we're all one together.

10:13And that is such a great feeling and then it's such a powerful feeling that, that we as the artists have. So if I have a chance to inspire the next generation, especially ones that look like me, you know, um, it's important. It is. Broadway needs that. Like sprinkling is there. We're not there yet, but the sprinkling is there. And that's why I think shows like this on September 17th at Green Room 40. That's what needs to be there because everyone wants to see themselves. They want that little little boy, a little girl to be like, I can do it. Exactly that. I, and I mean, can I, can I go off topic really quickly? Yes, please. And I talk you and I talking about our love for Disney. I just came back from a Disney gig on, on the wonderful Disney dream. And, um, one of the students I used to mentor booked the Disney dream. And just so happened that I got to, he's now, I took him on stage. We were partnered for this Broadway buddy program at the Vanguard in New Jersey. And since he was 13, I've been mentoring him and keeping in touch with him. And he booked his job and then I got this gig.

11:15So I got to see him perform. And you know, I'm just, it's just a full circle of life. But he's now playing Simba in one of the shows too. So it's really amazing and important that these arts education programs stay alive and stay vibrant and, and accessibility is real because he saw me. And now he's doing his thing. And do I feel old maybe, do I have old maybe, maybe, maybe, I wasn't going to go there. I wasn't going to buy, I do understand this. But that really had to be special to you. I'm talking about full circle moment. Like that really had to be so special to, to see, wow. Like I helped him do that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh my gosh. That gave me chills. That's so amazing and awesome. And then it's, it's just to see that. Like I think, and it's true. Arts and education is, they go together. They're hand in hand. And they have to be there. That being said, one of my spotlights is for an arts educator. So, so we are highlighting a teacher and educator. And so it's a whole spectrum of spotlights. You know, I have my choreography. I have my Deb Rower. Did you, I have my educator, I highlighted you, me awards.

12:15But there's all these different spotlights. You know, so there's something for everyone in this show. There really is, which leads me to like my, my, one of my favorites. Is this year, I might also do a spotlight over champion of veteran. Because we would not be here if it wasn't for people that paved the way for us to be here. So I scout out and look at the season. And this year I have the honor of having Ken Ard as our spotlight champion. And I exactly, if those of you don't know Ken Ard was just recently in cast, a jellicle ball, but he's also in the original cats. And for my personal connection to Ken is we both, I did Smokey Joe's cafe. He did the original and I did some of his songs in Smokey Joe. So I've always idolized him and looked up to him. And the fact that he said, yes, he's so on board. And it's just the cherry on a wonderful cake. So that is amazing. It's also important for the, for the new crop to see Ken, to see, to be in his orbit and to, and to hear his story. So you're also going to get to know these folks a little bit as well. So it's not just performance. We're going to have questions. We're going to get to know each other.

13:16Uh, I want the audience to get to know the artists as well. So it's, it's really informative. It's so great. That's such a great. See, this is why this is why these, these small intimichos are so important for the community to come and see and check them out because it's not just about, you know, who's, who's on top right now because that can change. Uh, as we know. And but it's, it's those up and comers that we want to see that like, wow, can we lift everybody up? You know, because everybody wants to complain and put stuff down and it's like, no, that's why we love you. Jump, because you lift everybody up. That's what we got. I've been lifted up. So it's about giving back, you know, it's the same. It's just, it's just sharing, you know, that's what I'm talking about. Oh my gosh. That's so, so fantastic. So now, so besides this, I know this is, you've had a lot on anything you can share about up and coming for your own careers coming up. Chair that I am very excited to be, to be part of something brand new that is coming next season. Um, so look out for that. You'll be the first to know. Um, but it's something delicious.

14:17Ooh, ooh, ooh, a little tea, a little tea is good. Yeah, that's right. That's right. That's right. No, I mean, this is so great. Did you, did you enjoy your summer? Did you have fun? Did you get to, I mean, besides traveling to Norway on the Disney dream, which is fun at Fabulous in and of itself. But did you do anything else that was just for you? Yeah. Well, it's all, I mean, yes, I had a fantastic summer. I got to direct and choreograph all shook up the summer over at SSTI, the South Eastern Summer Theatre Institute, which was very exciting. I've gotten to really great performance opportunities and I've gotten to see the world a little bit, which is really fun. So I had a very fulfilling summer. Traveling is something that I do that on the side. I book travel on the side, but I just, I think it's such an amazing education for people because you really get to see when you get to travel the world and see different cultures and meet different people and new people and taste new food. It's so fantastic. And they have theater out there too, you know, I just think it's, it's so great and so, so important. But I agree. Wow, wow. Well, listen, Delani, we just love you so much.

15:19And everyone round tableers and everyone watching, please go get your tickets. You can get your virtual tickets too. So if it, when it sells out, because it will, you can get your virtual tickets and watch with popcorn and in a little beverage. In your own home and enjoy and invite some friends over and watch it September 17th, 7 p.m. at Green Room 42 in the fabulous New York City hosted directed everything by the fabulous Delani, Remi. We love you so much. I love you. When you get that new Luther, you got to come back and talk to us. That's right. We're going to manifest that, my friend. That's right. You're going to manifest that. Oh my god. When you said that, I was like, like, can we do that? Like, please? Like. Just saying. You know, you look fabulous, my friend. Always always. Thank you so much. And Robert says hello. He's just, you know, he's doing a million and one thing. So he was like, of course he is. Like, can you, I was like, Jolani's my buddy. I was like, of course, I was like, I will do that. But he sends his love. And he's. I receive it. Eras, thank you so much. Yes. Yes. My friend, Juan, thank you so much.

16:20Talk to you soon. Bye. Bye. Hey there. I'm Alan Seale, host of The Theater Podcast, a weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes with intimate personal conversations that include the biggest stars on Broadway, TV, and film. My podcast is over 350 episodes with guests including Stephanie J. Block, Carrie Butler, James Monroe, Eigelhart, Andrew Barthfeldman, Alex Brightman, Paddy Lapone, Remeen Carem Lou, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and even TV stars like Isaac Mizrahi, Ariana Maddox, Michael Yurrie, Eddie Isard, and literally so, so many more. My guests have spilled secrets, told coming out stories, discussed their fears and successes, and even had huge epiphanies live in the episodes. So you're bound to hear some things from my guests that you've never heard anywhere else. I've also got many deep dive takeovers on the podcast, which are consecutive episodes

17:21dedicated to cast and creatives from a single show. Like the outsiders, back to the future, and Juliet, Wicked, Beetlejuice, Hades Town, Frozen, Six, I could go on. Can you tell I like theater? I've definitely got something you're going to enjoy. So go ahead, search for your favorite star and listen to their episode. You can find all the info about the podcast at bpn.fm slash ttp on the Broadway podcast network or anywhere podcasts are found. If you need that leak again, it's bpn.fm slash ttp.