Exploring Broadway: Behind-the-Scenes

Exploring Broadway: Behind-the-Scenes

Four Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16 & 30 (no discussion on 11/23)

1-2:15pm (PT), 2-3:15pm (MT), 3-4:15pm (CT), 4-5:15pm (ET)

on Zoom

Let musical theater instructor & Broadway trip leader James Sokol sneak you in the Stage Door to go “backstage” on Broadway!

Meet special guests — each a Broadway professional — who bring unique expertise, experiences & insights to the discussion at our exclusive, live, behind-the-scenes visits. Ask your burning questions via the zoom chat.

Photos/video clips (when available) will enrich the experience.

Save! Get “Early Bird” ticket prices; register before Oct 31st!

Praise for our Exploring Broadway series:

“Your special guests are so interesting! I always learn so much from the discussion.” – Joan S.

“Thanks for the delightful and educational classes. They are both interesting and fun; the presenter and the material were terrific.” – Sandi B.

“Thank you so much! I loved the class — learned several things I did not know — and very much looking forward to next week!” – Linda C.

Dee Roscioli (Nov 2)

Dee Roscioli is most known for her 7-year record-breaking run as Elphaba in the smash hit Wicked (Broadway, Chicago, San Fran, first national touring companies). Broadway credits include The Cher Show (standby for Star and Lady) and the 2015 revival of Fiddler on the Roof as Fruma Sarah.

She can be heard on the original cast recording of John Kander’s newest musical Kid Victory where she created the role of Emily.

In addition to her theatre credits, she has performed as a soloist with various symphonies across the US and Europe and has guest starred on various TV series including the character of Ma on the animated series Madagascar: A Little Wild.

Joel Waggoner (Nov 9)

Joel Waggoner is a writer, actor, composer, music director, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, comedian, and one-time game show winner. He was part of the Broadway casts of School of Rock and Be More Chill, where he went on to play Mr. Heere/Mr. Reyes/Scary Stockboy. He has appeared Off-Broadway in Southern Comfort at the Public Theater and will play Ralph in the original cast of the new Ahrens & Flaherty musical Knoxville in its upcoming premiere at Asolo Rep.

Jessica Phillips (Nov 16)

Jessica Phillips originated the role of Heidi Hansen (Evan’s mother) in the critically acclaimed first national tour Dear Evan Hansen, which she then played on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Leap of Faith, starring as Marla opposite Raul Esparza; Marion in Priscilla Queen of the Desert; OBC of Next to Normal; Jesus Christ Superstar (25th anniversary revival); and The Scarlet Pimpernel (1, 2 & 3).

On television, Jessica recurs as guest star A.D.A. Pippa Cox on “Law & Order: SVU.” Other on-screen credits include “Royal Pains,” “Bronx Warrants,” “Elementary,” “The Ordained,” “Unforgettable” and the films La Vida Inesperada and Absent Mind.

Paul Alexander Nolan (Nov 30)

Paul Alexander Nolan recently finished the run of his 9th Broadway show, playing prosecutor Hugh Dorsey in Parade. Prior credits include starring roles in Slave Play, Escape to Margaritaville, Chicago, Bright Star (Drama Desk Award Nominee for “Best Feature Actor”), Doctor Zhivago (Outer Critic Award nominee for “Best Feature Actor in a Musical”), Jesus Christ Superstar (25th Anniversary production) and Once.

About James Sokol

Opera & Musical Theater instructor James Sokol began his career under the leadership of Beverly Sills at New York City Opera. In the time since, he has worked in fields ranging from opera management to academia to international education reform and more.

For over two decades, Sokol has been creating and leading Cultural Arts Trips around the country and around the world. His annual sold-out The Best of Broadway: Mostly Musicals trips are offered through the National JCC Adult & Senior Alliance and are open to all.

Ticket & Notes:

“Early Bird” Series Ticket: $50 (re: $12.50 per class). Available until 48-hours before the 1st discussion.

Regular Series Ticket: $60 (re: $15 per class). Available until the start of the last discussion.

Tickets: All tickets are 1) are per device, not per person, on Zoom, and 2) are non-refundable & non-exchangeable. Single tickets are not available for this series.

Subject to Change: Due to the ever-shifting nature of the schedules of Broadway performers (e.g. “Hey, you have to come to the theater now for a put-in rehearsal” or “Just got you an audition for this afternoon.”), the special guests on this program are subject to change without notice.

The Fine Print:

Fortunately, we’ve had very few issues, but just to be clear…

Your Zoom “Event Link”: The Zoom event link will be emailed to all registrants automatically upon registration and then again 2-hours prior to each class. To help it land in your “inbox,” before registering, please add the following emails to your contacts:

• JCC Alliance — alliance@marinjcc.org
• James Sokol — jsokol@marinjcc.org

Registrants are requested to make sure the email w/link has arrived by the evening of Oct 31st. If the email does not arrive, please see “Troubleshooting” below.

Have a Comcast email? Please refer to this guide: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/spam-filters-and-email-blocking-new-experience.

Troubleshooting: We will do our best to remedy any issues. Registrants who have NOT received the email w/link are asked to check their email “junk” and “spam” folders. If found, please move the email to your inbox. If the email/link is still not there, please contact James (see below) immediately.

Late Troubleshooting: We will try our best – but cannot guarantee – help with Zoom links to guests contacting James less than 30-minutes prior to the event.

Live Only: In agreement with our guides, artists, instructors, special guests, etc., events are not recorded. Make-up sessions are unavailable. Credit/refund is not given for missed events.

Liability: While we will do our best to remedy any issues, The Osher Marin JCC & its Program Partners cannot be held responsible for 1) issues related to Eventbrite or Zoom, 2) ticket buyers not following the instructions above, nor 3) packing, shipping, or deliver services of food/beverages not received in time for tasting events.

Don’t ya just hate “the fine print?!!”

Questions? Email James at jsokol@marinjcc.org.

Exploring Broadway is created by the Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael, CA) and offered by the National JCC Adult & Senior Alliance. See below for a full list of Alliance Partners.

ALL ARE WELCOME to join in our activities! JCC members, non-members, those who live near or far, people of all backgrounds, faiths, ethnicities, hair styles, fashion choices, chocolate preferences, etc. “The more the merrier!”