Chris Evan Simpson

10/17/19 • 120 min

The Art of Not Making It: with Tiffany Springle

Today’s episode I sit down (and drink) with Chris Evan Simpson.
Chris is a great guy, and it was a blast talking with him. He’s an example of how being a likable person can actually lead to good opportunities.
Actor/Comedian/Singer, Chris and I met performing on Musical Megawatt at Magnet Theater. Improvising entire musicals, Musical Megawatt showcases some of the best in the scene. Chris is one of the longest performing players on Musical Megawatt. It’s not surprising. He’s a cool and funny dude, and he commits hard on stage.
We spoke right before the final performances of “Puffs!” ended it’s Off-Broadway run at New World Stages. "Puffs," or, "Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic," is a Potter inspired comedy for anyone who has ever felt like a secondary character in someone else's story. Hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt, it really is a magical show. Chris talks about his time there as the swing for “Cedric / Oliver,” as well as navigating through this industry and the many ways musical improv is amazing.
He also deals with me getting tipsy off one beer.
If you like the episode, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss one in the future! And if you could rate or review, that also would be wonderful. Cheers!

Previous Episode

Sopan Deb

On today's episode, I met up with Sopan Deb at the NY Times. We talk about his one-of-a-kind career path, and also therapy (spoiler: don't get a therapist who falls asleep while you are talking to them).
After covering the Trump Campaign for CBS News, Sopan had three paths he could have taken: head to Washington D.C. and join the White House Pres Corps, join the NY Times as a culture reporter, or become a television comedy writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. As someone who has a hard time deciding what to order for dinner, I have no idea what I would have done. Probably shake in anxiety until the last minute and decide on the Mac and Cheese.
In the end, Sopan accepted his offer with the NY Times.
Sopan Deb is currently a culture and sports reporter for The New York Times, writing about the intersection of politics and culture, among other topics. Before joining The Times, he covered Trump's presidential campaign for CBS News. You've probably seen several of the NY Times Talks interviews he's hosted, including Stephen Colbert and Hasan Minhaj.
His new book, Missed Translations: Meeting the Immigrant Parents Who Raised Me, is being released and published by Harper Collins and is currently available for pre-order here. Missed Translations will officially be available on April 21st, 2020, at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, Indiebound, and pretty much anywhere that sells books. With a foreword by Hasan Minhaj, it's already receiving high-praise and attention.
“Sopan Deb hilariously and truthfully lets us in on the ups, downs, lefts, and rights of trying to understand - as a standup comedian and a journalist - the two grown-up strangers who raised him. It’s a crazy story, but you know. Good crazy. Funny crazy. Read-this-book crazy.”
-Pete Holmes, comedian, podcast host, and author of Comedy Sex God
“As a man who has been a performer and covered performance, Sopan Deb now paints his most important picture yet, the self-portrait.”
-Roy Wood Jr., comedian and correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
“Both Moving and hilarious, Missed Translations is not just about exploring culture, family, and love, but also understanding where one comes from in the deepest possible way. It’s a wonderful journey.”
-Jake Tapper, CNN host and author of The Hellfire Club

Sopan is a unique guy. Journalist. Author. Stand Up Comedian. Pianist. He does a lot of things and he does them well. We met about three years ago when we performed on the same comedy show. We've stayed friends, and when I was creating "The Art of Not Making It, " I knew he would be great to sit down with. I texted him about it. He said yes. And here we are.
As always, please subscribe, rate, and review! New episodes every Thursday. Don't be Sopan's therapist.

Next Episode

Anthony Logan Cole Part 1

On today's episode, I sit down with Anthony Logan Cole.
True story: this was actually the first episode I ever recorded. We hung out in my bedroom, with me completely new to my podcast equipment. Anthony and me have known each other for years. He played my Dad in the first show either of us did in NYC. A musical about Abraham Lincoln dealing with puberty. Yep. This show really existed.
Anthony is an Actor, Producer, Singer, Director, and Immersive Artist. One thing I really love about Anthony's episode is how honest he is about both the good and bad in the industry. We all make mistakes, and I appreciate that Anthony can openly talk about moments he isn't the most proud of, but how he grew as a person and artist through them. He's a good egg. Isn't that a weird phrase? Ah well, too late I used it.
The episode has been broken down into two parts. This week's episode is part 1, where we talk about his past and how he got to where he is currently. Next week's episode is more focused on the present, and a recent reviewer scandal Anthony found himself suddenly in the middle of.
It's a great episode, and I think you will enjoy!
Opening song by Sofie Zamchick, and episode is sponsored by Theatrical Index. You can find more on Sofie's EP here.
Subscribe, rate, and review. See ya next week!
-Tiff