Marc Summers Unwraps: Broadway's Alex Brightman

If you work hard on something, it can never get worse,” that’s Alex Brightman’s philosophy.

Marc and Alex go way back as theater kids and friends; both share a love for live performance: Marc, hosting and comedy - Alex, on Broadway. Alex discusses his experience overcoming his stutter, anxiety and depression, why he gives up drinking when he’s training for a show and shares why he is adamantly not “a natural”!

Tips for confidence and discipline on this week’s episode: Marc Summers Unwraps is about overcoming obstacles, with new episodes every Monday.

Chapters:

00:34 - The nicest thing Robin Williams ever said to Marc Summers
02:17 - it’s cold in New York as Alex explains how he met Marc…
06:35 - Alex is from San Jose, but he’s not…
09:30 - Alex talks about clocking hours at the community theater before NYU
15:45 - Confidence and Humbling - Whirlwind of Glory Days opening and closing.
17:00 - What is a “Swing”?
20:50 - Alex’s Mantra was the “first Broadway show by 30”
23:30 - Auditioning for WICKED when it was a hit running show (11 times in a month) and the Key to Callbacks!
28:41 - Alex’s biggest lesson from leaving WICKED and Alex’s positivity/confidence in Auditioning
32:00 - Alex’s Audition Prep
34:00 - School of Rock - Alex gets to work with Andrew Loyd Weber.
42:22 - Staring on Broadway at 28, and then Beetlejuice: Lighting Strikes Twice: Brightman’s back!
46:08 - meeting heroes - Jack Black (and Paul Rudd) come to see Alex in School of Rock
51:12 - The BEETLEJUICE VOICE - Alex is NOT a natural
53:33 - Harder You Work Luckier You Get / Life and Slims of Marc Summers
58:20 - Marc and Alex talk about emotion, Alex talks about often being on the verge of laughter or tears.
1:01:02 - Accountant Comedians and Alex’s choice to halt drinking (
1:06:40 - Overcoming Obstacles - Alex talks about his stutter,
1:10:20 - Alex explains imposter syndrome to Marc