This week on Curtain Call, Tom welcomes Joanna Sherman and Michael McGuigan of Bond Street Theatre, an internationally recognized company dedicated to promoting peace, human rights, and mutual understanding through the arts. Founded in 1976, Bond Street Theatre has brought theatre-based programming into refugee camps, post-conflict regions, prisons, schools, and communities rebuilding after trauma in more than forty countries worldwide. In this in-depth conversation, Sherman and McGuigan share the origins of the company, its mission-driven work, and how theatre becomes a powerful tool for education, healing, and connection in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

On this week’s episode of Curtain Call, Tom sits down with Catherine Montesi, a theatre maker, journalist, and arts advocate whose work spans accessible performance, community storytelling, and public service. Catherine shares her experiences as an ensemble member with Bluelaces Theater Company, where she helps create multi-sensory productions designed for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She also discusses her time with Story Pirates, her commitment to accessible theatre, and her work with the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom Candela sits down with actor and playwright Douglas Taurel, the creator of the acclaimed one-man show The American Soldier. In this moving episode, Tom and Douglas explore the real wartime letters and unforgettable characters that bring to life the sacrifices of veterans and the families who love them.

This is theatre that changes people—opening conversations and shining a light on the invisible wounds of war.

On this week’s Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with multi-talented writer, actor, and composer Keith Varney, whose new one-man play Ten Times I Should Have Known I Was Autistic is premiered at the United Solo Theatre Festival. Through humor, honesty, and deeply personal storytelling, Keith retraces ten overlooked moments from his life that suddenly snap into focus through the lens of a late-in-life autism diagnosis. Together, Tom and Keith explore the emotional clarity that comes with understanding one’s neurodivergence, the years of masking that preceded it, and the liberating process of transforming private realizations into bold, public art.

The conversation also takes a detour into Keith’s joyful geek side — including his comedic role-playing podcast Wisdom of One, a spoof of Dungeons & Dragons.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela sits down with three of the creative minds behind one of Off-Broadway’s most talked-about new musicals — Vape! The Grease Parody. Joining the conversation are writer Catie Hogan, director Jack Plotnick, and lyricist and additional book writer Danny Salles, who share the story of how this high-energy spoof of Grease battled legal hurdles, embraced satire, and found its way to the New York stage. With humor as sharp as its social commentary and a heart as big as its laughs, Vape! reimagines the beloved classic for a TikTok generation — one vape cloud at a time.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela welcomes writer and director Mimi McGurl, actor Jess Beveridge, and musician Douglas Rogers, the creative team behind Lucy Joseph—the acclaimed original performance from Farm Arts Collective, returning by popular demand after a sold-out summer run. The piece tells the story of Lucy Ann Joseph Israel Lobdell, a 19th-century gender non-conforming pioneer whose remarkable life speaks directly to today’s ongoing conversations about identity and self-expression.

Listeners will also be treated to original live music by Douglas Rogers, including a moving rendition of Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times.” Together, Mimi, Jess, and Douglas share insights into their creative process, the historical inspiration behind the work, and the emotional power of blending music, movement, and storytelling to bring Lucy’s story to life. Lucy Joseph is both a theatrical triumph and a timely reflection on courage, authenticity, and the human spirit.

This week on Curtain Call, host Tom Candela welcomes back his longtime friend and celebrated theatre artist Gabriel Barre, whose latest directorial project, the brand-new Off-Broadway musical REUNIONS, opens at City Center Stage II on November the 2nd.

Tom and Gabe also look back on an extraordinary career that has taken Gabe from Barnum, to Starmites, Forever Plaid, Amazing Grace, The Wild Party, and beyond. Join them for stories, laughter, and a celebration of artistry, collaboration, and lifelong creative connections.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom spotlights a dynamic duo whose love story began center stage. Opera soprano and arts consultant Rebekah Diaz and celebrated baritone Graham Fandrei first met performing in La Bohème and went on to tour South Florida with concerts that blended classical and musical theatre favorites. Together they founded Magic City Opera, a company built on the belief that opera should be vibrant, social, and accessible to all—pairing short, experiential performances with community connection and conversation.