In this episode of On the Aisle, host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed director James Vasquez (also known as Pedro James Vasquez) for a powerful conversation about theater, identity, and the stories that bring people together. Currently directing the hit Broadway musical Come From Away at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, James shares how the production captures the extraordinary true story that unfolded in the wake of the September 11 attacks, when a small Canadian town welcomed thousands of stranded travelers with compassion and generosity. He discusses the unique challenge of staging a fast-paced, ensemble-driven show where just 12 actors portray more than 70 characters, and how he is crafting a fresh vision without relying on past productions.

Beyond the stage, the conversation explores James’ personal journey—from his early days at the Old Globe Theatre to becoming a nationally recognized director—and his experience navigating the industry as a Mexican-American artist. He opens up about reclaiming his full name, Pedro James Vasquez, and the importance of representation and telling culturally authentic stories, including his work on American Mariachi. At its heart, this episode highlights why theater continues to matter: its ability to create genuine human connection, spark meaningful conversations long after the curtain falls, and remind us—much like Come From Away—that even in the most difficult moments, kindness and community can shine through.

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In this two-part episode of On The Aisle Podcast, host Tom Alvarez sits down with two stars of the stage production of Pretty Woman: The Musical at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. The conversations offer an inside look at life in professional theater—from national tours and auditions to the realities of building a career on stage.

Part 1: Dani Kucera – From Cheerleader to Leading Lady

Actor Dani Kucera joins the podcast from backstage during rehearsals to talk about stepping into the lead role of Vivian in Pretty Woman: The Musical. Originally from Pennsylvania and now based in New York City, Kucera shares how her love of theater began unexpectedly after years as a cheerleader before discovering the stage in middle school. She went on to earn a BFA in musical theater from Belmont University, where the program’s strong focus on music training and industry connections helped prepare her for professional work.

Kucera reflects on life after graduation, including touring more than 50 cities with the national tour of Pretty Woman. The experience, she says, created lifelong friendships and offered a crash course in the realities of performing on the road. Now back at Beef & Boards—where she previously appeared in Legally Blonde: The Musical—she’s excited to once again perform for Indianapolis audiences in the romantic musical inspired by the hit film Pretty Woman.

She also shares advice for aspiring performers: talent and hard work matter, but kindness and strong relationships are just as important in the theater world. For Kucera, living in New York and performing across the country feels like the fulfillment of a dream she first discovered as a teenager.

Part 2: Charlie Fusari – From Ensemble to Leading Man

In the second half of the episode, Alvarez speaks with Charlie Fusari, who plays billionaire Edward Lewis in the production. Fusari discusses his journey from growing up in New Jersey to landing major stage roles, including performing in Jersey Boys and touring nationally with Pretty Woman: The Musical before stepping into the lead role at Beef & Boards.

Unlike many performers, Fusari didn’t initially plan a theater career. While attending Sacred Heart University, he discovered the stage through a friend involved in a campus production—and quickly caught the “theater bug.” Since then, he’s built a steady career touring the country, performing in historic theaters, and developing his craft through training and auditions in New York.

Fusari also talks about the unique experience of dinner theater, the challenge of making a famous role his own (originally played on film by Richard Gere), and how the show’s pop-rock score by Bryan Adams brings a fresh energy to the beloved story.

Behind the Curtain

Across both conversations, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication, travel, and constant training required to succeed in musical theater. From auditions and touring life to the thrill of performing live, Kucera and Fusari reveal the passion that drives actors to pursue their craft—and why bringing Broadway-caliber productions to regional audiences remains an essential part of American theater.

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Legendary vocalist Sandi Patty joins host Tom Alvarez for a warm, candid conversation about music, family, and what’s next in her remarkable career. The two reflect on Patty’s deep connection to Indiana and preview her upcoming performance with Michael Feinstein at the The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts on April 17.

Patty shares how much she enjoys collaborating with Feinstein—one of the leading ambassadors of the Great American Songbook—and hints that the evening will include Broadway favorites, classic standards, and a few special duets. She also reflects on past performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the influence of her longtime collaborator Jack Everly.

Beyond the concert stage, Patty opens up about life today: spending more time with her growing family (including 12 grandchildren), choosing projects more selectively, and enjoying everyday moments in Indiana. She also reveals an exclusive piece of news—she’s working on a brand-new music project connected to Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither, with new singles expected to release in the fall and a full album planned for January.

Throughout the conversation, Patty reflects on how music helped her overcome childhood shyness and why she believes love and kindness are the most powerful messages artists can share. The interview also touches on her faith roots, memorable performances of classics like “How Great Thou Art,” and her belief that music will always remain central to her life—whether she’s performing on stage or simply singing for her own soul.

The episode wraps with lighthearted moments, including a surprise cameo from Patty’s husband during the interview and a discussion about road trips, audiobooks, and social media.

This heartfelt conversation offers fans a glimpse into Sandi Patty’s life today—celebrating her legacy while revealing exciting new music and a special upcoming concert in Central Indiana.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Magic Thread Cabaret | Featuring Hampton Callaway

In this episode of On the Aisle, host Tom Alvarez sits down with longtime collaborator Dustin Klein to celebrate a major milestone—10 years of Magic Thread Cabaret. The two reflect on how their creative partnership began with the original musical Calder the Musical, inspired by the life of artist Alexander Calder. After the show’s success at the Indianapolis Fringe Festival, they realized that producing a full-scale musical beyond the local stage required resources they didn’t have. Instead, they channeled their passion for the Great American Songbook and intimate performance into a new venture—Magic Thread Cabaret—dedicated to producing original cabaret shows and nurturing emerging talent.

Over the past decade, Magic Thread Cabaret has produced more than 20 shows and worked with hundreds of performers and musicians, building a reputation for blending artistic excellence with mentorship. Their productions celebrate diversity and storytelling through music, giving local and rising artists opportunities to perform in professional settings while honoring the rich traditions of cabaret and the American Songbook.

The conversation also highlights a special March 20 benefit concert in Indianapolis, featuring acclaimed singer-pianist Ann Hampton Callaway. The performance will take place at The Cabaret and will showcase music by legendary songwriter Cole Porter. The evening will also honor the memory of Indianapolis arts supporter Ben Solomon and feature rising performers from Magic Thread Cabaret. In addition to Callaway’s performance, audiences will hear selections from the upcoming production Cabaret Latino: Songs of the Americas, celebrating the influence of Latin American music on American culture.

Looking ahead, Alvarez and Klein share exciting plans for the future. In 2026 they will present an expanded version of Cabaret Latino, and in 2027 they hope to revisit their original work Calder the Musical in a concert format with a live orchestra at the Tobey Theater at Newfields.

In the second half of the episode, Alvarez welcomes acclaimed Indianapolis jazz pianist Sean Baker, known as “Sean Baker the Music Maker.” Baker discusses his role leading the trio that will accompany Callaway for the benefit concert. A respected pianist, songwriter, and arranger, Baker explains how his deep knowledge of jazz and the Great American Songbook makes him a natural musical partner for Callaway’s performances.

Together, the conversations highlight the power of collaboration, mentorship, and live music—showcasing how a small arts organization can create lasting cultural impact while celebrating both emerging artists and world-class performers.

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On this episode of On The Aisle, Tom Alvarez sits down with Indianapolis artist Kyle Ragsdale for a conversation about creativity, community, and building a lasting career in the Midwest. Known for his large-scale, story-driven paintings—including billboard-sized works near the —Ragsdale reflects on more than two decades of making imaginative, theatrical art that invites viewers to dream rather than debate.

A former theater kid, Ragsdale’s roots in performance continue to shape his work. He has designed sets for and , blending visual art with storytelling. His paintings—sometimes seen in homes, businesses, and even on HGTV’s —are known for their whimsical motifs, mysterious scenes, and evolving themes.

Ragsdale credits Indianapolis and the Harrison Center community for giving him space to grow, experiment, and sustain a full-time artistic career. He encourages young collectors to buy what they love and support local artists, emphasizing that art should feel welcoming, personal, and accessible. For Ragsdale, success isn’t about chasing bigger markets—it’s about building meaningful connections through art right at home.

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In this episode of the On The Aisle, Tom sits down with actor and nonprofit leader Jenni White for a powerful conversation about art, identity, and service. Jenni reflects on her journey from growing up in small-town Indiana to building a respected theater career in Indianapolis, performing with companies across the city while balancing family life and arts administration. She shares her love for the rehearsal process, the creative community, and the way theater continues to shape her life.

The conversation turns personal as Jenni discusses parenting her 22-year-old child and the importance of respecting pronouns and evolving understandings of gender identity. She and Tom connect over shared LGBTQ+ experiences and the importance of chosen family, inclusion, and creating welcoming spaces.

Jenni also talks about co-owning a new Indianapolis franchise of The Sports Bra, a bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports, and her role as Executive Director of Trinity Haven — founded by Trinity Episcopal Church — Indiana’s only transitional housing program for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness. Since opening in 2021, Trinity Haven has helped nearly 100 young people move toward independence, offering housing, life-skills training, and hope.

It’s an inspiring conversation about building community — on stage, in sports, and in safe spaces where young people can finally feel at home.

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From Trauma to Triumph: Kevin Steele Opens Up to Tom Alvarez, On the Aisle.

Rock frontman Kevin Steele joins Tom Alvarez on the latest episode of his podcast for a conversation that goes far beyond music. Calling in from St. Petersburg, Florida, Steele discusses his first-ever solo album, One Thing Left to Do, set for release February 27. But what unfolds is more than an album preview — it’s a story of survival, resilience, and rediscovered purpose.

After decades leading Rocks Gang and The Mojo Gurus, Steele is stepping out on his own for the first time. He describes this project as the record he’s always wanted to make. Co-produced with guitarist Billy Summer — whom Steele calls his “Cosmic Twin” — the album reflects his unfiltered creative voice.

There were no label executives weighing in. No producer clashes. No compromises.

The result is a raw blend of rock and roll infused with blues, glam, country, grit, and heart — a sound Steele says represents exactly who he is today.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Steele opens up about a life marked by unimaginable trauma. He reveals that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and suffered a brain bleed before undergoing surgery. Against daunting odds, he made a full recovery and returned to the studio with renewed clarity and determination.

But his story of survival began long before that diagnosis.

At just eight years old, Steele’s mother was murdered. Years later, his father was convicted of orchestrating the crime. Growing up in the shadow of that tragedy shaped him in profound ways. Music, he says, became both refuge and lifeline.

“I wanted to give some other kid the same escape music gave me,” Steele shares during one of the episode’s most powerful moments.

Throughout the podcast, Steele and Alvarez also dive into several tracks from One Thing Left to Do, exploring the stories and emotions behind the songs. Each track reflects a journey — from pain to perseverance, from trauma to triumph.

What emerges is not just the story of a new album, but the portrait of an artist who has endured heartbreak, health scares, and hardship — and chosen to channel it all into creativity.

One Thing Left to Do isn’t simply a solo debut. It’s a declaration: after everything he’s survived, Kevin Steele still has music to make — and a story worth telling.

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From Broadway to the Heartland: Don Farrell’s Journey of Art, Risk & Reinvention

In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed performer, director, and producer Don Farrell to explore a career built on talent, fearlessness, and community.

Don traces his journey from growing up in the South to training at the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, then spending over a decade working professionally in New York City. Along the way, he learned a defining lesson: don’t wait for permission—create your own opportunities.

That philosophy led Don, alongside Judy Fitzgerald and Cindy Collins, to co-found Actors Theatre of Indiana, taking a leap of faith that helped shape Central Indiana into a nationally respected arts destination. Don reflects on the risks, mentors, setbacks, and belief systems that made ATI possible—and how visionary civic leadership in Carmel helped turn bold ideas into reality.

The conversation also dives into Don’s evolution as a performer and creative entrepreneur, including the launch of Crossroads Entertainment and his acclaimed docu-cabaret shows at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael—intimate performances that blend music, storytelling, and history, especially celebrating icons of the Great American Songbook.

Beyond career milestones, Don opens up about:

The power of mentorship and collaboration

Why great art can thrive anywhere, not just New York or Chicago

How passion, humility, and authenticity fuel lasting success

The emotional reward of connecting with audiences one story at a time

He also shares touching reflections on fatherhood, performing with his daughter Lizzy, and how legacy—both personal and artistic—matters more than fame.

Big reveal: Don announces his return to Actors Theatre of Indiana, starring as Max opposite Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard—a full-circle moment that perfectly captures the theme of the episode.

Bottom line: This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, creative courage, and why the arts—when supported by community—can transform lives and cities alike.

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