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