In this wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, host Tom Alvarez reconnects with acclaimed performer and impressionist Christina Bianco, joining from London to reflect on her international career, viral success, and life abroad.

Christina shares how a post-COVID pivot led her from New York to London, where she’s found creative freedom, steady work, and a lifestyle that blends city energy with village calm. She breaks down the differences between Broadway and the West End, explaining why the UK has become a hotspot for developing new musical theater—and why many American creatives are taking their work overseas.

The conversation dives deep into Christina’s rise as the “queen of musical impressions,” tracing her journey from Forbidden Broadway to viral YouTube fame, major symphony collaborations, and international television appearances. She discusses her creative process for impressions, emphasizing that mimicry must come from a place of love, not parody—and shares memorable reactions from stars like Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, and Kathy Griffin.

Listeners are treated to a live a cappella impression medley, showcasing Christina’s uncanny ability to channel legends like Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, and more.

Christina also opens up about:

· Life in London vs. New York

· Her husband Bill’s career as a veterinary physiotherapist

· The cultural differences between American and British audiences

· Her upcoming role as June Carter Cash in The Ballad of Johnny & June, directed by Des McAnuff

· Mentoring young performers and staying connected through social media

Warm, funny, and insightful, this episode is a masterclass in adaptability, artistry, and building a global career while staying grounded.

Perfect for fans of theater, Broadway, West End, vocal performance, and behind-the-scenes artist stories.

Follow host Tom Alvarez on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Watch Tom every other Thursday on Lifestyle Live on WISH-TV, and listen every week on the All- Indiana Podcast Network.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, host Tom Alvarez sits down with Austin Campagna, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hotel Carmichael and Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, for an inside look at one of Indiana’s most distinctive arts and hospitality destinations. Austin shares his journey from rural Indiana and Purdue’s top-ranked hospitality program to helping shape the brand, programming, and guest experience at the luxury Autograph Collection hotel.

The conversation dives into the vision behind Hotel Carmichael and Feinstein’s—from its deep connection to the Great American Songbook and Michael Feinstein’s hands-on influence, to the intimate, transportive cabaret experience that draws audiences from around the world. Austin also announces an exciting new Allied Solutions–sponsored performance series, bringing nationally recognized artists to Carmel, including Maggie Baugh, Morgan James, Casey Abrams & Hunter, and Will Hoge.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how Feinstein’s balances national talent with beloved local favorites like Don Farrell, dueling pianos, and the ever-popular Drag Brunch, while continuously elevating food, cocktails, and service. The episode wraps with a passionate discussion about the power of cabaret, the accessibility of world-class entertainment in Central Indiana, and why Feinstein’s offers a “not a bad seat in the house” experience for newcomers and regulars alike.

An essential listen for arts lovers, cabaret fans, and anyone curious about how Carmel became a Midwest cultural hotspot.

Follow host Tom Alvarez on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Watch Tom every other Thursday on Lifestyle Live on WISH-TV, and listen every week on the All- Indiana Podcast Network.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the stories, artistry, and leadership behind two of Central Indiana’s most influential performing arts forces: Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (CIDE) and the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT).

The episode opens with the origins of CIDE and its companion school, the Central Indiana Academy of Dance, founded over 25 years ago by former Sacramento Ballet dancer Suzanne DeLay. What began as a response to a major cultural gap—no youth concert ballet company and no local Nutcracker—quickly grew from fewer than 50 dancers into a thriving nonprofit organization. Today, CIDE supports more than 70 company dancers, over 135 Nutcracker performers, and a professional faculty made up entirely of former ballet dancers, emphasizing serious classical training, ensemble excellence, and artistic integrity.

Suzanne and her daughter Ashley Jacobs, now co-leading the organization, reflect on ballet as both art and athletic discipline—one that demands musicality, strength, precision, and emotional truth. They discuss evolving ballet culture, increased diversity and inclusion, breaking gender stereotypes, and how strong foundational training allows dancers to adapt across styles, companies, and careers. The conversation also touches on modern stagecraft, including video projection and choreography in productions like Frozen and contemporary Nutcracker stagings.

The episode then shifts to theater, tracing Richard’s remarkable journey at the Indiana Repertory Theatre—from arriving in Indianapolis in 1981 and landing a stage management role on A Christmas Carol, to a decades-lon g career as IRT’s resident dramaturg. Richard shares insights into dramaturgy, directing, arts journalism, and mentorship, reflecting on how encouragement, curiosity, and collaboration shaped his path. He discusses preserving tradition while embracing change, inclusive casting, workplace culture, and why theater remains a vital space for empathy, storytelling, and community connection.

Together, these stories reveal a shared truth across dance and theater: great arts organizations are built on vision, discipline, mentorship, and collaboration. Whether nurturing young dancers, preserving theatrical legacy, or adapting art for modern audiences, this episode celebrates the people who keep live performance meaningful—and alive.

Support your local arts. Attend performances. Volunteer. Donate. And keep the stories moving.

Follow host Tom Alvarez on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Watch Tom every other Thursday on Lifestyle Live on WISH-TV, and listen every week on the All- Indiana Podcast Network.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.