Ever wonder what it takes to make a new musical sing? Find out with New York Theatre Barn’s Backstage Pass. Hosts Teresa Attridge and Pauls Macs create space to lift up the artistry of those transforming the landscape of our industry. We make the exclusive, inclusive, going straight to the source to understand each artist’s authentic viewpoint. We’re honored to celebrate a community of people who believe that art which challenges us is worth celebrating. Featured guests include Greg Kotis, Nico Juber, Justin Huertas, L. Morgan Lee, Jenn Collella, S.C. Lucier, Meghan Rose, Hector Flores Jr., Jessie MacBeth, and more. Theme song music by Nico Juber.
Episode 17 - Southern Harmony: A Murder Ballad Part 2
In this episode we continue our conversation with Kevin Fogarty about his musical, Southern Harmony: A Murder Ballad.
Bernie Tiede was a model citizen. He was the star tenor in the church choir, director of the community theater, a trusted friend, and everyone’s favorite funeral director and mortician. Marjorie Nugent was a wealthy widow, estranged from her entire family, conservative in her lending practices, accustomed to always having the final say, and had a reputation for being less than warm and welcoming. They were an unlikely pair. Their arrangement was unconventional. There were bound to be problems. But the murder was just the beginning.
When an ambitious, no nonsense district attorney takes what he thinks will be an open and shut case, an East Texas town has to rethink everything they know about right and wrong to make sense of the situation. Mixing traditional musical theater with southern gospel and Texas folk influences, the line between good and evil runs right through the heart of Texas in this dark true- crime musical comedy.
This episode features demo recordings of the songs “It’s Gonna Be Fine” performed by Daniel Yearwood and Todd Buonopane and “The New Mrs. Nugent” performed by Todd Buonopane.
Connect with Kevin Fogarty:
Instagram: @kfogue
Connect with New York Theatre Barn:
Twitter: @nytheatrebarn
Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn
Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn
nytheatrebarn.org
Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs
Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 Sept 2026
Episode 16 - Kevin Fogarty: Southern Harmony - A Murder Ballad
This episode features a conversation with Kevin Fogarty about his musical, Southern Harmony: A Murder Ballad.
Bernie Tiede was a model citizen. He was the star tenor in the church choir, director of the community theater, a trusted friend, and everyone’s favorite funeral director and mortician. Marjorie Nugent was a wealthy widow, estranged from her entire family, conservative in her lending practices, accustomed to always having the final say, and had a reputation for being less than warm and welcoming. They were an unlikely pair. Their arrangement was unconventional. There were bound to be problems. But the murder was just the beginning.
When an ambitious, no nonsense district attorney takes what he think will be an open and shut case, an East Texas town has to rethink everything they know about right and wrong to make sense of the situation. Mixing traditional musical theater with southern gospel and Texas folk influences, the line between good and evil runs right through the heart of Texas in this dark true- crime musical comedy.
This episode features demo recordings of the songs “People Person” performed by Todd Buonopane, as well as “Tristan Da Cuhna” performed by Todd Buonopane and Michelle Jennings.
Connect with Kevin Fogarty:
Instagram: @kfogue
Connect with New York Theatre Barn:
Twitter: @nytheatrebarn
Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn
Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn
nytheatrebarn.org
Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs
Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 Sept 2026
Episode 15 - Marlise! The Musical Part 2
In this episode we continue our conversation with Justino Tesoro, Jesse Ayala, and Katie Emerson about Marlise! The Musical.
It’s 1954, and Hollywood star Marlise Mattox has been framed for murder, live on television at the Oscars. The only person who believes she is innocent is Arnold Berman, an obsessive superfan and studio prop-room assistant. After bailing Marlise out of jail, Arnold pulls her into a madcap investigation through backlots, biblical epics, and film-noir shadows. Along the way: flipping Pharaohs, biblical tap numbers, buried Hollywood secrets, and a robot on skates.
Equal parts love letter to and loving spoof of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Marlise! follows one fallen movie star and her greatest fan as they attempt to solve a murder, and film her comeback at the same time.
This episode features a demo recording of the song “Moses! Moses!” performed by Justino Tesoro.
Connect with Marlise! The Musical:
Website: https://www.marlisemusical.com/
Instagram: @marlisemusical
Connect with Justino Tesoro:
Website: https://www.justinotesoro.com/
Instagram: @justino_tesoro
Connect with Jesse Ayala:
Website: https://www.jesseayala.com
Instagram: @jesseayalajr
Connect with Katie Emerson:
Website: https://katieemerson.org/
Instagram: @itskatieemerson
Connect with New York Theatre Barn:
Twitter: @nytheatrebarn
Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn
Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn
nytheatrebarn.org
Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs
Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who has been a guest on Backstage Pass
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Nico Juber
Joe Barros
Jade McLeod
Gabby Boera
Benjamin Velez
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
151,750
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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