Best Nella Vera Podcasts (2024)

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Jesse Q. Sutanto's VERA WONG'S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS - June 2024 Book Club 35:22

2M ago35:22

35:22

Are you looking for a cozy mystery with a lot of spilled tea? Be sure to join us as we read and discuss Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) as our June 2024 book club pick! This cozy mystery is a perfect summer read that will warm your heart despite the dead body at its center. We're continuing …

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Short Reads for Summer 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

Are you looking for quick reads to breeze through this summer? We're bringing you recommendations for short books to put on your TBR stack (our in your audiobook queue!) for this summer. If you're looking for more short book recommendations, be sure to check out our popular blog post, "9 Great Short Books to Kick Off Your 2024 Reading Goals." We're…

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Henry Hoke’s Open Throat - May 2024 Book Club 37:28

3M ago37:28

37:28

Are you looking for a book written from an unusual perspective for the 2024 Unabridged Reading Challenge? Henry Hoke's Open Throat, a young adult novel in verse written from the perspective of a mountain lion living in LA, certainly meets the requirements for that category. This is a fast, compelling read that addresses many social issues from a un…

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Finding Book Club Picks for the Reading Challenge 32:57

4M ago32:57

32:57

How do you find book clubs and buddy reads to join? Jen and Ashley dig into the ways to get involved with book clubs (online and in real life) and buddy reads. If you're doing the 2024 Unabridged Reading Challenge with us, participating in a new book club or buddy read is a category on the list! Be sure to tune in to hear how to expand your reading…

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Nella Larsen’s Passing - April 2024 Book Club 45:48

4M ago45:48

45:48

Have you read Nella Larsen's Passing (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm), a brilliant classic written in 1929? If you haven't read this stellar (short!) book, take time to do that and then join us for the discussion. We share our pairing recommendations as well, including Toni Morrison’s Sula (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half (B…

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Recommendations for Books Published Before 1950 30:10

5M ago30:10

30:10

Are you joining us for the 2024 Unabridged Podcast Reading Challenge? For one of the categories, we're focusing on books that were published before 1950, so we wanted to share some recommendations for that category on today's episode. Listen in to hear us talk about Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Jan…

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Jasmine Warga's OTHER WORDS FOR HOME - March 2024 Book Club 33:21

5M ago33:21

33:21

Have you read a middle grade novel in verse recently? This month, we're reading Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm), which is perfect for the Unabridged Reading Challenge 2024 category featuring a middle grade novel in verse. Jen and Ashley discuss the book club pick and share our pairings including Thanhhà Lai’s Inside O…

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Episode 76: CHRISTINE PEDI 59:49

6M ago59:49

59:49

Drama Desk Award nominee Christine Pedi talks about her career journey, "Forbidden Broadway" and "Chicago," and the life of comediennes as she knows it. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more info about Christine's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/WickedStage The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett,…

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Episode 75: NITA WHITAKER 51:04

6M ago51:04

51:04

Multi-hyphenate award-winning actress Nita Whitaker talks about her passion for music and healing, entering pageants to pay for nursing school, and working with icons like David Foster and Alan Thicke. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For tickets and more information about Nita's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/NitaWhitaker Watc…

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Interview with Sarah Ward, Author of VICTORY GALLOP 38:36

6M ago38:36

38:36

Are you looking for a great middle grade book that highlights equestrian sports and mental health challenges? Listen in to hear author Sarah Ward share about her debut middle grade novel Victory Gallop, which is available exclusively on Amazon. Jen and Ashley talk with Sarah about her inspiration for the novel and her passion for the writing she's …

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Episode 74: HUGH PANARO 46:11

6M ago46:11

46:11

One of the few actors ever to play both male lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Hugh Panaro tells the story of how he convinced Hal Prince to give him the titular role, his show mementos, and the release of his first album! Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Watch Hugh perform "Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera here: https…

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Episode 73: ROBERT W. SCHNEIDER 43:04

6M ago43:04

43:04

Award-winning multi-hypenate Robert Schneider talks about his career as a producer and educator, his love for bringing obscure musicals back on stage, as well as a serendipitous occasion at 54 Below which launched a big project. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Robert's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/artists/robert-schn…

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Gary Lonesborough's READY WHEN YOU ARE - February 2024 Book Club 34:44

6M ago34:44

34:44

Are you looking for a teen coming-of-age love story set in the Australian bush? This month, we're discussing Gary Lonesborough's Ready When You Are (Bookshop.org), which is a YA romance that is perfect for our Unabridged Reading Challenge category Romance by an Indigenous Author. We also share our pairings including Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper (Boo…

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Love is in the Air 2024 - Our Latest Romance Recs 29:18

7M ago29:18

29:18

Are you looking for romance recommendations to read this February? We've got some new recommendations for you as we return with our annual Love is in the Air episode. We'll share about our picks for this year's edition, including Kacen Callender’s Stars in Your Eyes (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Jacqueline Firkins’s The Predictable Heartbreaks of I…

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Louisa May Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN - January 2024 Book Club 35:34

7M ago35:34

35:34

Jen and Ashley read and discuss Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, Little Women (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm). This one is perfect for the Unabridged Reading Challenge category about a classic written before 1950! Check out our reading challenge here. We also share our pairings including Hena Khan’s More to the Story (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Geral…

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Reading Challenges for 2024 32:00

8M ago32:00

32:00

What are your reading challenge plans for 2024? We're excited to launch the fourth annual Unabridged Podcast Reading Challenge. Ashley and Jen are also each participating in other reading challenges as well, and we share those with you in the episode. If you're looking to reach some new reading goals this year, reading challenges are a great way to…

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Episode 72: THE BARRICADE BOYS 31:34

8M ago31:34

31:34

Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield of UK’s No. 1 West End musical theater supergroup, The Barricade Boys, talk about the group's origins and concerts around the globe, "Les Mis," and their favorite roles. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Watch a preview of The Barricade Boys performing a number of their favorite songs at https://youtu.be/6V57…

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Marie-Helene Bertino’s 2 AM AT THE CAT’S PAJAMAS - December 2023 Book Club 40:07

8M ago40:07

40:07

What happens when a nine-year-old girl decides she's determined to sing at Philadelphia's renowned jazz club? Marie-Helene Bertino's 2 AM at the Cat’s Pajamas (Libro.fm) is the story of Madeleine Altimari and other people all trying to reach their goals on the eve of Christmas Eve. Listen in to hear our thoughts and our pairings for this book club …

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Episode 71: TAMMY FAYMOUS 52:28

9M ago52:28

52:28

New York’s riotous and raucous hairy Drag Queen Tammy Faymous (Alexander Kacala) talks about drag as an artform, "Die Hard" as a Christmas film, and complicated family relationships in between sips of spiced (spiked?) eggnog. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Tammy's upcoming show, go to 54Below.org/…

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Unabridged Book Awards for 2023 42:35

9M ago42:35

42:35

In our annual Unabridged Awards episode, Jen and Ashley share awards we created for some of our favorite books from 2023. We each share three books in this episode, but if you're interested in more of our favorites, be sure to also check out this month's Bookish Fave posts on our blog. Patreon pals, be on the lookout for additional awards coming yo…

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Episode 70: LISA HOWARD 37:58

9M ago37:58

37:58

Broadway leading lady Lisa Howard stops by the podcast with some hot cocoa to chat about Hallmark movies and #CountdownToChristmas, as well as her star turns on stage and in the film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2." Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information on Lisa's upcoming show, go to 54Below.org/LisaHoward Watch a s…

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Elliot Page’s PAGEBOY - November 2023 Book Club 41:24

10M ago41:24

41:24

Have you read Elliot Page's brilliant new memoir, Pageboy (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm)? Jen and Ashley are discussing our thoughts about this powerful book in the November book club episode. We also share our pairings, including George M. Johnson’s All Boys Aren’t Blue (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Kacen Callendar’s Felix Ever After (Bookshop.org | Li…

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Episode 69: BRANDON VICTOR DIXON 36:16

10M ago36:16

36:16

Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award® nominee Brandon Victor Dixon talks about his iconic roles in shows like "Hamilton" and "Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE", what's on his Spotify playlist, and his advocacy work with the WeAre Foundation. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Brandon Victor Dixon's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Bel…

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Episode 68: ELLIE NUNN 50:29

10M ago50:29

50:29

West End actress Ellie Nunn phones in from across the pond to talk about the essence of Stephen Sondheim's genius, the art of cabaret, and designer hand puppets (as well as a wonderful night out with Helena Bonham Carter). Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. See Ellie perform "Losing My Mind" by Stephen Sondheim here: https://yo…

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Episode 67: JASMINE FORSBERG 47:13

10M ago47:13

47:13

Here Lies Love star and incoming SIX Broadway queen Jasmine Forsberg talks about connecting with her Filipino roots on and off stage, creating community both on tour and in her Broadway debut, and her dreams for the future. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Jasmine's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/JasmineFors…

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Our Latest Book Recommendations by Indigenous Authors 25:28

10M ago25:28

25:28

What are some of your favorite books by indigenous authors? We wanted to share a couple of books we've loved recently that are by indigenous authors including Sonora Reyes’s The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Angeline Boulley’s Warrior Girl Unearthed (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm). Let us know your recommendations! In …

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Episode 66: FRANCES RUFFELLE & NORMAN BOWMAN 46:34

10M ago46:34

46:34

Tony® winner Frances Ruffelle and leading West End star Norman Bowman talk about their first meeting in Les Mis, the origins of "Frankie and Beausy," and the secret ingredient to their enduring friendship. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Frances and Norman's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/Frankie…

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Trang Thanh Tran’s SHE IS A HAUNTING - October 2023 Book Club 43:15

10M ago43:15

43:15

Are you looking for a ghost story that also explores important social issues? Our October 2023 Unabridged book club pick, Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting (Bookshop.org), is a young adult horror novel set in Vietnam and explores the lasting impact of colonialism on the country. Listen in to hear our thoughts about this debut novel and check out…

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Episode 65: JAI RODRIGUEZ 59:26

11M ago59:26

59:26

RENT star and "Queer Eye" alum Jai Rodriguez talks about how being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States shaped his career choices on stage and screen. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information about Jai's upcoming show, visit 54below.org/JaiRodriguez. The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Pricket…

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Our 2023 Spooky Reads Recommendations 27:40

11M ago27:40

27:40

What spooky reads are you adding to your TBR list this year? Ashley and Jen share our recommendations for 2023 including Zoraida Córdova’s The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm) and Isabel Cañas’s The Hacienda (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm). If you'd like more recommendations, don't miss our Spooky Reads episodes from the past few …

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Julia Alvarez’s IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES - September 2023 Book Club 49:21

11M ago49:21

49:21

What do you know about Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic? For our September book club pick, Jen and Ashley discuss Julia Alvarez's classic book In the Time of the Butterflies (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm), which is a historical fictional account of the four Mirabal sisters. We also share our pairings including Mario Vargas Llosa’s The F…

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