Shows
I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Robert Horn!Today, I Wanna Be Like Robert Horn! Robert Horn is a Tony Award winning Book Writer for his work on Tootsie alongside David Yazbek! Prior to working in theater, Robert had a successful career in TV/Film writing on Designing Women, Living Single and High Society to name a few. He’s penned some successful television movies for Disney Channel including the High School Musical spinoff Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, The Suite Life Movie and Teen Beach Movie! Robert began his career writing musicals by working alongside Jason Robert Brown on the musical 13 which starred Ariana Grande and subsequently wrot...
2025-08-191h 54I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Ken Davenport!Today, I Wanna Be Like Ken Davenport! Ken Davenport is a successful book writer and producer for multiple Broadway shows garnering 2 Tony Awards for Kinky Boots (Best Musical) and Once on this Island (Best Revival of a Musical). Currently, he’s working on Joy Off Broadway at the Laura Pels Theater where he serves as the producer and book writer. The Broadway shows he’s currently serving as producer include Gypsy and Oh Mary! Some of the shows he worked on as book writer include Altar Boyz, Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage, and My First Time...
2025-08-1258 minI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Elizabeth Teeter!Today I Wanna Be Like Elizabeth Teeter! Elizabeth Teeter is a triple threat performer with 4 Broadway credits including Lydia in Beetlejuice, Mary Poppins, The Audience and The Crucible! Currently, she’s starring as Heather McNamara in Heathers at New World Stages! Having performed on Broadway alongside Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, Sadie Sink, and Saoirse Ronan, Elizabeth’s career has spanned a multitude of styles and productions. Since starring in Beetlejuice, her social media following has grown exponentially resulting in over 169K followers on TikTok. Coming from a family of teachers, Elizabeth also does masterclasses and teaches Acting Through Song...
2025-08-051h 54I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Peter Van Dam!Today, I Wanna Be Like Peter Van Dam! Peter Van Dam is a Broadway casting director who’s a co-owner of The TRC Company. He’s currently the Casting Director for SIX on Broadway! Most recently, Peter cast the Tony Award nominated Best Musical Dead Outlaw, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends and The Heart of Rock n Roll! A graduate from Boston Conservatory, Peter pivoted from acting and worked as Lonny Price’s assistant on the Merrily We Roll Along documentary, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened. Now he’s served as a Tony voter and is consistentl...
2025-07-301h 20I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Jess LeProtto!Today, I Wanna Be Like Jess LeProtto! Jess LeProtto is a Broadway veteran who’s been working onstage since he was a child in shows including Bye Bye Birdie with John Stamos and The Boy From Oz alongside Hugh Jackman. As an adult, he was in the ensembles of Hello Dolly with Bette Midler, Newsies, Carousel and most recently seen on Broadway in A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. Jess, a former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance Season 8, made it to the Top 8! He also played the role A-Rab in the 2021 Steven Spielberg helmed West Si...
2025-07-243h 12I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesBONUS: I Wanna See Rolling Thunder!Welcome to the new BONUS series of I Wanna Be Like You, I Wanna See! Today, I Wanna See Rolling Thunder! Rollling Thunder is a new musical premiering Off Broadway premiering at New World Stages! It brings together legendary songs of the period of the 60's and 70's, raw and potent storytelling inspired by Vietnam veterans and their families!
2025-07-2225 minI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Jim Walton!Today, I Wanna Be Like Jim Walton! Jim Walton has had a vast Broadway career most notably originating the role of Frank in Merrily We Roll Along. He also was featured in the documentary The Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened which details the process and legacy of Merrily We Roll Along. He’s also gone on to star alongside John Stamos on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie. He originated the Kander & Ebb revue And The World Goes Round Off Broadway. Jim’s also written multiple musicals with his brother Bob Walton including Double Trouble, Midlife! The Cris...
2025-07-162h 51I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Gary Lloyd!Today, I Wanna Be Like Gary Lloyd! Gary Lloyd is a UK based choreographer whose career ranges from Theater to events for the Royal Family. Currently, he serves as the choreographer for the cult hit musical Heathers which recently extended their run into 2026 at New World Stages! Spanning from working as the creative director on the original seasons of American Idol to serving as the choreographer for the UK hit Thriller Live, Gary has worked with global legends. We get to talking about his time working with Sir Paul McCartney, PINK!, Ricky Martin and the time he got to...
2025-07-081h 08I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Kevin Metzger-Timson!Today, I Wanna Be Like Kevin Metzger-Timson! Kevin Metzger-Timson is casting director who runs The TRC Company. Currently, he's represented on Broadway as the Casting Director of Boop, Death Becomes Her, Aladdin and the upcoming production of Mamma Mia coming to the Winter Garden this summer! He also served as the Casting Director for the current Beauty and the Beast national tour and the most recent production of The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill. Formerly an actor, Kevin pivoted to casting almost a decade ago and has worked on and is working on some of the biggest shows to...
2025-07-012h 01I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Annbritt DuChateau!Today I Wanna Be Like Annbritt DuChateau! Annbritt DuChateau is a professional conductor, piano and French horn playing, music director with numerous Broadway and National Tour credits. Currently, she’s conducting and music directing Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends on Broadway at the Samuel J Friedman Theater until June 29th. Her long history working on Sondheim began with working under a legend in the industry, Paul Gemignani. She’s an Assistant Music Director for Disney Theatrical working on Mary Poppins, Aladdin and Frozen around the globe. Some other notable Broadway credits include Into the Woods (2002), The Frogs (2004), and Once Upon A...
2025-06-241h 26I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Cara Rose DiPietro!Today, I Wanna Be Like Cara Rose DiPietro! Cara Rose DiPietro is a social media influencer who focuses on Lifestyle and Theater content. Currently holding over 400,000 followers on all social media platforms, Cara has been developing her accounts influencing people from all over the globe over the past 3 years. Since then, she's gotten to hold her own TED Talk and 54 Below show: My Mother's Daughter alongside Tony Award nominee Laura Bell Bundy where she discusses the passing of her mother. Having gone through it herself, Cara has been able to serve as a role model for those suffering from...
2025-06-171h 51I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Brad Oscar!Today I Wanna Be Like Brad Oscar! After making his Broadway debut in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Aspects of Love, Brad Oscar has received 2 Tony Award nominations for starring in the original companies of The Producers and Something Rotten as Franz Liebkind and Nostradamus respectively. Currently, he is doing 8 shows a week in Wicked as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz! He’s also originated the casts of Jekyll & Hyde and Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway! Most recently, Brad played Mayor Menlove in the stage production (as well as multiple readings) of Schmigadoon! based on the TV show at the Ke...
2025-06-101h 46I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Josh Bergasse!Today I Wanna Be Like Josh Bergasse! Josh Bergasse is a renowned choreographer currently Tony Award nominated for his choreography on SMASH playing at the Imperial Theater! He also choreographed the original TV show on NBC as well as So You Think You Can Dance, the revival of On the Town on Broadway for which he received a Tony nomination and many more! Upcoming, Josh is working on the new musical Joy premiering at the Laura Pels Theatre at Roundabout Off Broadway in June as well as the world premiere of the new musical Bull Durham which is scheduled...
2025-06-0553 minI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Thom Sesma!Today I Wanna Be Like Thom Sesma! Thom Sesma is currently starring in the new musical Dead Outlaw nominated for 7 Tony Award including Best Musical playing now at the Longacre Theatre! Born in San Diego, Thom didn’t originally see himself being an actor. Now he’s gone onto to star in many shows on and off Broadway as well as playing Scar in The Lion King in Las Vegas! You can catch him performing this Sunday June 8th at the Tony Awards alongside the rest of the cast of Dead Outlaw!I WANNA BE L...
2025-06-0446 minI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Jack Noseworthy!Today I Wanna Be Like Jack Noseworthy! Jack Noseworthy heads the production company TruWorthy Productions alongside his husband, Tony Award Winner Sergio Trujillo and currently is the Lead Producer of Real Women Have Curves on Broadway! The show is happening every night at the James Earl Jones Theater and is nominated for 2 Tony Awards! Beginning as an actor, Jack has found success on stage and screen. He originated the musical Sweet Smell of Success alongside John Lithgow, Brian D’Arcy James, and Kelli O’Hara. He starred in films, television and onstage alongside Kurt Russell, Rob Lowe, Matthew McConaughey, Mery...
2025-06-0344 minI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Andy Karl!Today, I Wanna Be Like Andy Karl! Andy Karl is an Olivier Award winning and 3 time Tony Award nominated actor whose career spans widely amongst screen and stage. He's most well known for his Olivier Award winning performance as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day the Musical which he performed on Broadway (Tony Award nomination), London's West End and most recently in Australia. He's originated musicals including Rocky the Musical (where he played the titular role and received a Tony Award nomination), Pretty Woman, Legally Blonde and many more! He had a significant recurring role in Law and Order: SVU...
2025-05-271h 53I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Jerry Mitchell!Today, I Wanna Be Like Jerry Mitchell! Jerry Mitchell is a Tony Award winning Broadway legend. Currently represented with an Outer Critics Circle Award and Tony Award nomination for his choreography on Boop! The Musical (which he also directed) running on Broadway NOW! Jerry started his career working under the greatest choreographers to have ever worked in the theater: Agnes DeMille, Jerome Robbins and Michael Bennett. After a career dancing on Broadway himself, he went on to choreograph iconic musicals such as Hairspray, Gypsy (2003), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and many more! As a director/choreographer, Jerry has worked on cult...
2025-05-201h 35I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Brittany Conigatti!Today, I Wanna Be Like Brittany Conigatti! Brittany Conigatti is a Broadway dancer who originated A Bronx Tale directed by Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks. She also was in the ensemble of The Prom on Broadway! She most recently danced alongside Quinta Brunson on Saturday Night Live! She’s gone on to be a featured dancer in Annie Live!, Mean Girls National Tour, and the national tour of Matilda! Next up, she’ll associate choreographing Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of The Little Mermaid alongside director and choreographer JoAnn M Hunter!I WANNA BE LIKE B...
2025-05-152h 06I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Kris Kyer!Today, I Wanna Be Like Kris Kyer! Kris Kyer is a renowned acting coach for children working in TV/Film. He’s worked as a dialect coach on TV shows including Boy Meets World, That 70’s Show, Grace Under Fire and more! He’s trained many prominent child actors including Mila Kunis, Dylan & Cole Sprouse, Taylor Lautner, Kyle Massey and many more! He’s also a professional impersonator of Dick Van Dyke who he got to play in the film, Saving Mr. Banks starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. Prior to this, Kris worked in the theater scene——working on cruise li...
2025-05-131h 14I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Lee Roy Reams!Today, I Wanna Be Like Lee Roy Reams! Lee Roy Reams is a bonafide Broadway LEGEND. Most well known as the original Billy in 42nd Street (1980), Lee Roy has worked on 11 iconic Broadway shows. He was in the original company of Sweet Charity on Broadway (1966) as well as the film (1969) working alongside Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. He played the first openly gay role in a Broadway show as Duane Fox in Applause (1970) alongside Lauren Becall. He’s also danced on some of the most iconic television shows in American history including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett Sh...
2025-05-053h 24I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Sean McManus!Today, I Wanna Be Like Sean McManus!Sean McManus has become most well known for his viral impression of Patti LuPone on TikTok and Instagram! Beyond that, he’s become notable for his impressions of Jennifer Coolidge, Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek and Parker Posey in the most current season of The White Lotus. He’s recently begun performing these impressions LIVE with his upcoming show, And The Nominees Are happening at the Laurie Beechman Theater on May 6th. Beyond that, Sean continues to have a thriving career on Broadway and across the country performing as a vaca...
2025-04-291h 14I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Mark Hoebee!Today, I Wanna Be Like Mark Hoebee! Mark Hoebee is currently the Producing Artistic Director of Paper Mill Playhouse. Prior to that, he was a swing and dance captain on multiple Broadway shows and national tours including Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, and Victor/Victoria starring Julie Andrews. He went on to become an accomplished director, still directing one show a season at Paper Mill. Notably, he directed a production of The Full Monty starring Elaine Stritch among many others! We get to talking about Paper Mill’s current world premiere production of Take the Lead as well...
2025-04-221h 54I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Theresa McCarthy!Today, I Wanna Be Like Theresa McCarthy! Theresa McCarthy is most well known for originating the role of Nellie in Floyd Collins which has now returned to Broadway with the role being played by Lizzy McAlpine! She also starred as one of the three Kates in the original Broadway company of Titanic. She’s originated many Off Broadway musicals such as First Daughter’s Suite, Myths and Hymns and Queen of the Mist. You can hear her voice in the studio recording of The Frogs/Evening Primrose singing the iconic Take Me To The World. Currently, she’s a profes...
2025-04-171h 20I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Michele Cavallero!Today I Wanna Be Like Michele Cavallero! Michele Cavallero is a theatrical agent who works for Take 3 Talent Agency. Before becoming an agent, Michele graduated from Emerson College with a degree in musical theater before venturing into a professional career as a performer and dance teacher. Some of Michele’s theater clients are currently starring in Boop, Buena Vista Social Club, Aladdin and more on Broadway. On screen, you could find her clients on Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted and Long Bright River. We get to ask some of your burning questions for agents in a new segment ti...
2025-04-151h 17I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Mary Six!Today, I Wanna Be Like Mary Six! Mary Six has been tapping since she was 2 years old. Her vast career includes being a Rockette for 13 years, serving as a dance captain for The Rockettes as well. While with The Rockettes, she got to star alongside Chita Rivera in Can Can on tour in Japan. She also tapped alongside Harold Nicholas at the London Palladium in My One and Only! She went on to teach Tap at The Juilliard School as well as Wagner College. Currently, she teaches private and public tap classes at Bridge For Dance. She also runs...
2025-04-081h 19I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Phil Colgan!Today I Wanna Be Like Phil Colgan! Phil Colgan joins us fresh off his run as Charles Lee in Hamilton on Broadway, after having been a swing and dance captain in & Juliet on Broadway! His vast career includes associate choreographing New York, New York alongside Susan Stroman, originating A Bronx Tale at Paper Mill Playhouse and Only Gold (directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler) at MCC. He currently teaches at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway and is choreographing Jesus Christ Superstar at The Rev alongside director Donald Rice (son of Sir Tim Rice).
2025-04-032h 01I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Aidan McDermott!Today, I Wanna Be Like Aidan McDermott! Aidan McDermott works in Company Management on and off Broadway. Currently he’s the Assistant Company Manager on Just in Time starring Jonathan Groff and former podcast guest Michele Pawk. Most notably, he served as the Assistant Company Manager on Swept Away, An Enemy of the People and The Wiz on Broadway! He was also the Company Manager for Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors off Broadway at New World Stages! We get into the ins and outs of Company Management in Theater and how valuable they really are to the industry....
2025-04-011h 10I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Tommy Bracco!Today, I Wanna Be Like Tommy Bracco! Tommy Bracco is a Staten Island native who's originated 3 Broadway shows including Newsies, Pretty Woman, and The Heart of Rock n Roll! Most recently, he starred in Titanique Off Broadway! He's most well known for his time as a contestant on Big Brother back in 2019!! We get to talking about it all! Watch on YouTube and Spotify! Listen wherever you get your podcasts!I WANNA BE LIKE TOMMY BRACCO MARKERS 1. 00:00 Intro 2. 02:55 Tommy’s I Wanna Be Like You as a Kid3. 04:20 Ho...
2025-03-251h 18I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like Michele Pawk!Today I Wanna Be Like Michele Pawk! Fresh off the announcement of her next Broadway role in Just in Time (previews begin March 28, 2025, at Circle in the Square), Michele Pawk is a Tony Award winning actress who recently performed as Madame Morrible in Wicked (2022-2024) and originated shows like Seussical (Mayzie) and Crazy For You (Irene). Her iconic roles include Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray, Donna in Mamma Mia! (2005-2006), and Fraulein Kost in Cabaret (1998, Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle noms). Michele earned her Tony for Hollywood Arms (2002) as Louise. Watch on YouTube and Spotify! Listen wherever you get...
2025-03-181h 26I Wanna Be Like You with Elbi CespedesI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi Cespedes TrailerI Wanna Be Like You with Elbi Cespedes is a podcast that explores the journeys of successful individuals and how they’ve built and sustained their careers. Host Elbi Cespedes sits down with accomplished guests to discuss their beginnings, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Through engaging and insightful conversations, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a deeper look into what it really takes to achieve long-term success.
2025-03-1301 min
Overtures with Lora MargerumEpisode 14: Elbi CespedesOn this episode, Lora interviews Elbi Cespedes, a SAG-AFTRA actor, singer, and (I will venture to say "stunter"!). On this episode we discuss his entry into the film and theatre world, stories from on set, and working on "Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage" at Emerald Coast Theatre Company.
We do have some technical difficulties throughout the episode, BUT we were able to figure it out, and we hope you enjoy!
You can get in contact with Elbi at:
https://www.instagram.com/elbito322/
https://www.elbicespedes.com/
Brooklyn Zoo Gym:
2022-07-0849 min