“Lance, Ray… You’re good boys.”
Lance and Ray talk with the charming and legendary Santa Claus, famous for delivering gifts to kids all over the world on Christmas Day.
They talk about what Santa does in his downtime, what his salary is like, why he refuses to allow any documentaries to be made about him, and the real backstory behind the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."
Also, original holiday song "Celebrate Christmas (With Me)", co-written and performed by Joe Iconis, Matt Hinkley, Jason "SweetTooth" Williams, and Lance, Ray Explains How to Open a Gift, and Ray and Lance reflect on the holidays and their first year of podcasting.
Special thanks to Sebastian Conelli, Santa's personal assistant, for helping to make this amazing interview happen.
“Go on, tell me a story.”
Lance and Ray's first LIVE episode! The boys broadcast from awesome literary/design exhibition Divine Details (www.divinedetailsshop.com) in the Flatiron district.
The episode is devoted to objects and the relationships people have with them. For the first time, they have THREE GUESTS in one episode, and they are all fantastic:
actor/writer Ana Noguiera (The Michael J. Fox Show), actor Jon Bass (The Book of Mormon), and musician Todd Goldstein, front-man for the band Arms (and the guest from Episode 8!).
Ana talks about her stuffed pig, Jon talks about his blankie, and Todd talks about a magical piece of junk. Plus, Lance, Ray, and their guests read stories written for Divine Details by Eric Dufault, Katie Schorr, Bekah Brunstetter, and Brian Watkins.
Also, two terrific songs performed live by Todd ("Comfort" and "Heat & Hot Water"), Bad Stand-up Comedy About Objects, OBJECT TRIVIA, a trip to the Story Station, and Lance and Ray talk about lending out The B.F.G., Ray's bikes, and choosing between your computer and your cat.
Note: Because this is live, it does exceed our usual 20 minutes. More show to enjoy!
“Well, to this day that’s my mom’s favorite thing I’ve ever done.”
Lance and Ray talk with fantastic actor/singer/musician/writer Jason "SweetTooth" Williams, whose musical theatre credits include Bloodsong of Love, The Black Suits, The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks, and The Trouble With Doug. Jason is also co-writing the musical Annie Golden: Bounty Hunter, Yo! with Lance and Joe Iconis.
They talk about the origin of the nickname SweetTooth, how marriage feels, Jason's favorite movies, and when it's okay to refer to oneself as a writer.
Also, SweetTooth performs one of his mind-blowing rhymes for the first time in many years, Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan do audio commentary for their debut album, and Ray and Lance talk about their podcast time-lag, why actors need to check their props, and the tradition of rhyming art.
“I like to be music rather than a soloist.”
Lance and Ray talk with actor and vocal percussionist extraordinaire Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan. Shockwave was a regular on PBS' new version of The Electric Company and is part of the fantastic hiphop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme. He also co-hosts The Beatdown, a comedy rap battle at UCB. Check out: www.shockwavebeatbox.com.
They talk about the origin of the name Shockwave, his general philosophy on beatboxing, how his unique career in New York City began, when he saw Freestyle Love Supreme for the first time, and his thoughts about competition.
Also, Shockwave gives a brief and fantastic sampling of his beatboxing abilities, Lance and Ray present A Non-Visual Puppet Show, and Ray and Lance talk about Forrest Gump, childbirth, and finding your niche.
Check out Lance and Ray LIVE at Divine Details this Tuesday, November 19th at 7:30 PM! Use code DDGuest15 for $15 tix!
https://divinedetailsshop.com/events/22-story-go-on-tell-me-a-story-35
“Fastest route is ME!”
Lance and Ray celebrate their 25th episode by talking with charming screenwriter/playwright Jane Miller, who is currently in her first year at UCLA's graduate screenwriting program.
They talk about what her courses are like, why her professors tell the students not to feel any ownership over their screenplays, what genre Jane enjoys writing, and how grad school is different from undergrad.
Also Lance's "Song to Myself," Lance Meets a Robot, and Lance's baby news. Plus Ray's thoughts on the past and future, and a brand new segment: Lance and Ray's Netflix Streaming Recommendations!
FYI: We'll be having our first LIVE EPISODE of our podcast on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:30 at Divine Details, a pop-up shop on 164 5th Ave between 21st and 22nd. Free beer and wine! Come check it out! All info here: https://divinedetailsshop.com/events/22-story-go-on-tell-me-a-story-35
“Learning what you don’t want to do is just as important, if not more important, than figuring out what you want to do.”
Lance and Ray talk with the lovely and talented Rachael Weiner, a prop stylist for print media, who has also worked as an editor for HGTV Magazine and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She currently does freelance styling for a variety of companies, including One King's Lane.
They talk about the aspirations Rachael had when she was eleven, the moment when she realized prop styling was an actual job, being a freelancer versus working 9 to 5, and what it was like to work in an office with Martha Stewart.
Also, Ray Eats Banana Bread, Granian's "Immune" from their album Without Change, and Ray and Lance talk about Breaking Bad, scary Facebook statuses, and Lance's birthday.
“Make tonight a story.”
Lance and Ray talk with the smart and likable Steven Levenson, a playwright/TV writer. Two of Steven's plays were produced in New York City this past summer: The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin with the Roundabout Theatre Company and Core Values with Ars Nova. Steven has written for NBC's The Playboy Club and CBS's Vegas.
They talk about why it's intimidating to be around Dennis Quaid, the difference between the way theater actors and TV/film actors relate to writing, and what it's like to be on-set for an episode you've written.
Also, S2pid (Ray and Jesse Gavin) performs a cover of Green Day's "Basketcase", Top 10 Things to Be Excited About This Fall, and Ray and Lance talk about suspending disbelief, back-to-school photos on Facebook, and how amazing it is that the ancient ritual of writing and performing stories still exists.
“Like how does that actually make you feel, hearing someone say that to you?”
Lance and Ray talk with the charming Abra Tabak, who's an improviser, actress, teacher, and writer. You can catch Abra at the UCB Theatre (NY) Saturday nights at 10:30 with her team Grandma's Ashes and at the UCBeast (in the East Village) Friday nights at 9 in the show Take it Personal: The Hip Hop Improv Show. She also performs often in UCB's Sunday night Asssscat shows.
They talk about what brought her to improv comedy, meeting Treach from Naughty by Nature, her experience acting on 30 Rock, and the note she most often gives to improv students.
Also, Lauren Marcus's delightful "Play With You", First Drafts of Iconic Movie Lines, and Ray and Lance talk about twerking (Lance being the last human to know what it is) and Back-to-School time.
[harmonica solo]
Lance and Ray talk with the sweet and hilarious Matt Schatz, a writer of plays (The Tallest Building in the World), musicals (Love Trapezoid, Dunkfest '88), and television. Matt is working on a pilot he wrote for Fox as well as one he was commissioned to write for USA.
They talk about the various pilots Matt is working on (including one inspired by a rabbi in NJ who hired a hitman to kill his wife), why he doesn't like asking questions about TV writing contracts he signs, the key to his writing process, and his advice to aspiring artists.
Also, Matt performs a brand-new original song about he and his wife moving to LA, Television Reviews Based Entirely on Hearsay, and Ray and Lance talk about NJ beaches, N'Sync, and people (like Matt) making the move to LA.
“It’s become very strange that people are so afraid to support each other.”
Lance and Ray talk with the multi-talented, multi-charming Nick Blaemire, actor (Godspell, Dogfight), musical theatre writer (Glory Days, After Robert Hutchins), and all-around performer. Nick fronts a band called Nick Blaemire and the Hustle, who you can catch at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 on Tuesday, September 3rd at 11 PM. It's a free show/release party for their new video, "I Like It More."
They talk about what it was like when Glory Days (a Broadway show Nick co-wrote) closed the morning after opening night, why musicians are cooler than actors, the bass line in Bell Biv DeVoe's "Poison", and the value of supporting others.
Also, Nick performs his new song "Trouble," Lance and Ray take a Field Trip to the Grand Canyon, and Ray and Lance talk about why Ray was recently inspired to send a naked photo of himself to a bride on her wedding day, how excited they are that the person who first cast them in a play together just got married, and how it feels when someone doesn't like you.
“You can smile, and then you’ll be happy.”
Lance and Ray talk with the inspiring Jen Mazer, the Queen of Manifestation. Her company (www.queenofmanifestation.com) helps people to manifest their life dreams.
They talk about taking ideas from your brain and making them into reality, how Jen became the Queen of Manifestation, what the Egyptian pyramids actually are, and the state of the world today.
Also, "Aviators" by The Sea & the Gulls (Episode 8's Todd Goldstein and Leah Beeferman), Old Future Stories, and Ray and Lance talk about deciphering Shakespeare's dated references in Much Ado About Nothing, Lance's last iphone game addiction, and how they perceive the word "spiritual."
And Jen inspired us to start a Twitter account for our podcast! Follow: @lanceandray
"Have one hard year, and you’ll be fine.”
Lance and Ray talk with stand-up comic/blogger/writer Max Silvestri. Max co-hosts a comedy show called Big Terrific every Wednesday at 8 PM at the Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg.
They talk about Max's impressive Twitter following, his stand-up comedy origin story, and the moment when he finally decided to leave his day job to do comedy full-time.
Also, an original song by Joe Iconis, Jason "Sweettooth" Williams, and Lance, Competitive Roller Coaster Testers, and Ray and Lance talk about McDonald's being horrible, Ray's new idea for Facebook, and money.
“Dozens of small things make up a life well-led.”
Lance and Ray talk live via satellite (the telephone) with writer Anthony King, former artistic director of the UCB Theatre in NYC. Anthony has written for BFF and Save Me, both on NBC, and is currently writing for the upcoming USA comedy Playing House.
They talk about whether or not Anthony was aware of the aura of intimidation and power that he had as the artistic director of UCB, why it's nice to live in LA in your 30's, how improv experience translates to a TV writers' room, and putting your ass in the chair.
Also, the Shotgun Jazz Band's "Oriental Man", the commentary track off Matchbox 20's first album (with Rob Thomas and guitarist Kyle Cook), and Ray and Lance talk about Mark Twain, doing the right thing, and Richard Pryor saying the N-word.
“Work is not always fun, but it’s fulfilling.”
Lance and Ray talk with dynamic musical comedy duo The Parodivas (www.parodivas.com) AKA Darlene Rae Heller and Jason B. Schmidt. Check out their upcoming show on Thursday, June 28th, 7 PM at Vlada Lounge in midtown NYC.
They talk about the Parodivas' origin story, their writing process, Darlene and Jason's noble day jobs, and the word "portmanteau."
Also, a live performance of the Parodivas hit "Shut Up and Let Me Blow," (a parody of the Ting Tings' "Shut Up and Let Me Go"), Ray Interviews For a Job as an Astronaut, and Ray and Lance talk about government phone surveillance, M. Night Shyamalan ghost-writing She's All That, and enduring artistic collaborations.
“Oh, cool, we’re all in this together.”
Lance and Ray talk with lovely actor/writer Leah Henoch, co-creator and co-star (along with Katie Schorr) of upcoming webseries Yoga Partners, coming out later this month at www.yogapartnerswebseries.com. (Also, Lance directed the webseries. And Ray is in it, too.)
They talk about Leah's relationship with yoga, what it's like to live with her 87-year-old grandfather, working as an associate producer for the New Georges theater company, and the process of making Yoga Partners.
Also, Leah shares her love for YouTube Karaoke with a rendition of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe", Lance and Ray present People in New York Talking About Weather and Trains, and Ray and Lance talk about actors' dialects, The Before Trilogy, and Marlee Matlin.
(Please pardon the strange whooshing noise in the second half of the interview. A technical mishap with Lance's computer fan. Won't happen again. Love, Lance and Ray)
“The bigger the statue, the more I’m freaked out by it.”
Lance and Ray interview the delightfully effervescent and knowledgeable Jennifer Ashley Tepper, theatrical producer and musical theatre historian/superfan. Her book, The Untold Stories of Broadway, will come out sometime within the next year.
They talk about Jen's book (what it's all about, the events that led to her writing it, how she felt interviewing Broadway legend Hal Prince), the budgets of Broadway shows, and Jen's 5 favorite musicals of all time.
Also, Elana Arian's "I Know What You're Doing," Where in the World are Lance and Ray-o?, and Ray and Lance talk about Coney Island, selfies, and statues.
“Yeah, but they usually don’t know if it ended up in death or not.”
Lance and Ray talk with hilarious storyteller/teacher/director John Flynn. He has a weekly open mic storytelling show Oh, Hey Guys! Thursdays at 6 at UCBEast, and his album Faggot Munchkin, recorded live at the UCB Theatre, will be available for purchase soon.
They talk about John's approach to storytelling, why being a drug dealer was the best job in the world, and how performing in a show at the Paper Mill Playhouse changed his life forever.
Also, Ray performs his song "Pick 'Em Up", Lance and Ray present The World's Worst Joke-tellers, and Ray and Lance talk about After Earth and Bang With Friends.
“Always pick up the dog.”
Lance and Ray talk with Jeff De Picciotto, creator/star of the fantastic cooking webseries Fudehouse (fudehouse.com) and all-around terrific dude. They talk about the time Jeff went on a Food Network competition show with his family, the joy he derives from messing with people both on-stage and off, and Jeff's life-defining performing origin story.
Also, Matt Hinkley's "Blue & Grey", Famous People Reading Excerpts from Cormac McCarthy's The Road, and Lance and Ray talk about blind people cleaning up after seeing-eye dogs, the magic the Knicks bring to Lance's life, and the energy of shared experiences.
“I’m gonna try and do everything I can to go for a swim.”
Lance and Ray talk with Zack Wagman, a senior editor at Crown (an imprint of Random House) and Lance's best friend since age 3. Current books Zack has edited include Swedish crime epic The Andalucian Friend, by Alexander Soderberg, and the upcoming thriller Save Yourself, by Kelly Braffet. They talk about the state of the book industry, what an editor does, and:
They each share their Top 5 Favorite TV Shows of All Time.
Also, "Hold Love, Keep it in Your Hands" by Freddy Hall and the Best Intentions, Lance and Ray's Scary Stories, and Ray and Lance talk about Boston, love, and lockers.
“I just like the way things look when you got a bunch of ’em.”
To celebrate their 10th Episode, Lance and Ray talk with delightful performance artist and impressive collector Iris Rose. They talk about living in The Mildred (where RuPaul may or may not have also lived), her collaborations with her son (including a short film she made called The Joe Project, which documents his life from birth to age 17), the work of Watchface--her theater company in the 80's, and her advice for artists.
Also, Lance performs his song "Today," Lance and Ray present Confessions, and Ray and Lance talk about positive daily affirmations and the Iris-inspired idea of a kid being your biggest artistic project.
“Love is the unifying force in this world.”
Lance and Ray talk with the huge-hearted Adam James Gallo, fitness trainer and founder of the Loft Collective, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (corner of Norman and Henry, walk by and see him training people through the big windows!).
They talk about his time working as a bouncer at Coyote Ugly, two of his heroes - Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme, why auditions are lame, and his thoughts on what would make the world a better place.
Also, the song "Don't Mess With Texas" by Seeking Homer, your monthly horoscopes from Lance and Ray, and talk about Roger Ebert and living your passion.
“Last night I counted to 2,000 sheep.”
Lance and Ray talk to kick-ass musician/charismatic human Todd Goldstein, frontman for the band Arms, which has a new EP coming out this summer. They talk about one of Todd's coolest rock performance experiences, why success doesn't matter if you're not enjoying yourself, and how his now-defunct band The Harlem Shakes has had an accidental resurgence because of "The Harlem Shake."
Also, Todd performs "Sleepwalker" from Arms' upcoming EP, Lance and Ray perform their radio play Death of a Salesman Part 2 (Part 1), and Ray and Lance talk about a bizarre deleted scene from Lance's all-time favorite movie Back to the Future, the joys of waking up early, and things you can visualize to help you fall asleep.
“I’m trying to create a safe space for Caucasians.”
Lance and Ray talk with hilarious comic/actor Naomi Ekperigin. She regularly performs all over NYC, including her monthly show Coyote Average at Karma Bar and Lounge. They talk about the origin of Naomi's moniker The Blacktress, how being a minority gives you more freedom of speech, and having a boyfriend who watches Bunheads.
Also, one-man-band the Muggies performs "Kiss Me, Jane," Ray explains how to use a door, and Ray and Lance talk about The Office (both NBC and BBC), Lance's narrowly-focused Twitter feed, and when it's time to get rid of your kid stuff.
“They’ve given us merit in heaven.”
Lance and Ray talk to musical theatre writer and all-around-great-dude Joe Iconis. Besides having music featured in this season of NBC's Smash, Joe has written many awesome musicals, including Bloodsong of Love, The Black Suits, and Things to Ruin. They talk about meeting Anjelica Huston, movie musicals, and Joe's favorite place to perform in New York City.
Also, Joe performs "Geek Rock Garage King" (a cut song from The Black Suits), Ray interviews for a job as a zookeeper, and Ray and Lance talk about NYC springtime, Union Square, and the temperatures in LA.
“Art is either plagiarism or revolution.”
Lance and Ray talk with the wise and delightful Terrence Ross, who is a filmmaker, novelist, professor, and former masseur. Terrence taught Ray screenwriting at Adelphi University, where he is now a full-time film production/media literacy professor.
They discuss the question of how to make art and money at the same time, putting in the effort to craft a solid story structure, and Terrence's penchant for ripping up money in front of his students.
Also, Lance and Ray present their first radio play, singer/songwriter Emily Morrow performs her first song, and the boys talk for the first time about lobbying for a longer February, babies taking over, and getting away from NYC in the wintertime.