Key Takeaways

  • Cole Escola’s Broadway show ‘O, Mary!’ was a significant success, earning them a Tony Award and highlighting their unique approach to performance.
  • The conversation delves into the demanding nature of Broadway schedules and the personal toll it can take, contrasting it with the perceived ease of other performance types.
  • Escola and Sederis discuss their collaborative dynamic, emphasizing mutual respect and a shared artistic sensibility that makes their work together effective and enjoyable.
  • The episode touches on the challenges and realities of starting a career in New York City, including financial struggles and early survival jobs.
  • Escola’s deep admiration for Martha Stewart and their childhood fascination with her public persona is a recurring theme, illustrating a desire for control and accomplishment.

Segments

The Demands of Broadway and Post-Show Life (~00:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Cole Escola describes the grueling schedule of a Broadway show and the subsequent disorientation and adjustment period after the run concludes.
  • Summary: Cole Escola elaborates on the physical and mental toll of performing eight shows a week on Broadway, noting that the hardest part of the day is often at the end. They discuss the challenges of maintaining energy and the difficulty of transitioning back to a less structured life after such an intense commitment.
Creative Control and Early Career Struggles (~00:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Escola emphasizes the importance of creative control in their career, reflecting on early jobs and the desire to be in charge of their artistic output.
  • Summary: The conversation shifts to Escola’s early career, including working at a bookstore and living in a railroad apartment. They highlight the value of control, contrasting it with less fulfilling service jobs and even sex work, which offered more autonomy and better financial returns for the time invested.
The ‘O, Mary!’ Phenomenon and Tony Award (~00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The success of ‘O, Mary!’ and winning a Tony Award is discussed as a validation of Escola’s unique artistic vision and a collective achievement celebrated by their community.
  • Summary: Cole Escola reflects on the overwhelming support and excitement surrounding their Tony Award win, emphasizing that the best part was seeing friends and long-time supporters share in the success. They describe the show as a rare blend of intimate, personal art and broad public appeal.
Admiration for Martha Stewart and Childhood Influences (~01:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Cole Escola expresses a lifelong admiration for Martha Stewart, inspired by her ‘wasp-y energy’ and ability to accomplish multiple tasks, which influenced their own aspirations.
  • Summary: Escola shares anecdotes about their childhood obsession with Martha Stewart’s television show and their attempts to emulate her lifestyle. They recount a memorable encounter with Stewart, highlighting the impact of her persona on their formative years and their appreciation for her drive and efficiency.
Lightning Round: Personal Quirks and Industry Insights (~01:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: In a rapid-fire segment, Escola reveals personal habits like using eBay for vintage items and discusses their approach to acting and the industry, including their preference for certain types of roles and collaborators.
  • Summary: The lightning round covers topics such as sending the wrong text, eBay searches, favorite restaurants, and thoughts on cults. Escola also touches on their astrological sign and their views on psychics, offering quick, candid responses to a variety of personal and professional questions.
The Power of Friendship and Teasing (~01:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Cole Escola values deep friendships and the ability to tease each other as a sign of love and safety within their creative circle.
  • Summary: Escola shares how their friends, particularly John Early, make them laugh with elaborate Marco Polo messages that playfully involve dark humor and inside jokes. This highlights the strong bonds and shared sense of humor within their community.