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When a President Attacks a Musical


Chris Nee, Michael Kooman, Chris Dimond

What happens when a beloved children's musical about a shark who likes sparkles becomes the first artistic casualty of political censorship? Hear the behind-the-scenes story of Broadway's biggest stars rallying overnight to resist silencing through art. Learn how "Finn" was initially designed to help children embrace their authentic selves. It became an unexpected symbol of creative resistance that brought tears to the eyes of 80-year-olds and renewed hope for thousands.


I sat down with the brilliant minds behind "Finn," Chris Nee, Chris Dimond, and Michael Kooman, just weeks after their Town Hall benefit concert set the theater world ablaze. Their journey from celebration to devastation to triumphant resistance reveals everything about what's at stake for the arts and inclusion today. This conversation isn't just about a canceled musical; it's about the battle we're all facing for diverse stories and whose voices deserve to be heard.




Meet our guests:

Chris Nee: Five-time NAACP and three-time Emmy Award-winning powerhouse behind "Doc McStuffins" and "Vampirina." Her Laughing Wild Productions partnered with the Obamas' Higher Ground to create Emmy-winning "Ada Twist, Scientist" and "We the People." A former Sesame Street International producer who's attracted voice talent from Michelle Obama to Audra McDonald, Chris masterfully balances documentary work (Emmy-nominated for "Deadliest Catch") with children's programming innovation.


Chris Dimond & Michael Kooman: This Emmy-nominated dynamic duo has composed over 150 songs for Disney's "Vampirina," reaching 100+ million viewers worldwide. Their theatrical masterpieces have premiered at prestigious venues from Shakespeare's Globe to the Kennedy Center. Their extraordinary songwriting talents have attracted Broadway legends including Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster, and Audra McDonald. Recipients of the Fred Ebb Award and Jonathan Larson Grant, these Carnegie Mellon alumni have seamlessly conquered stage and screen while collaborating with entertainment's biggest stars, from Rachel Bloom to Henry Winkler.


Here's what we cover:

  • The inspiring origin story of "Finn" explores how a metaphor about a shark questioning his identity became a groundbreaking musical tackling toxic masculinity and acceptance through family-friendly storytelling.

  • Behind-the-scenes insights into how successful TV collaborators who've created content for Disney and Netflix translated their creative chemistry to the theater.

  • The shocking blow-by-blow account of how a presidential tweet led to the Kennedy Center canceling a successful show that had already recouped its investment.

  • How Broadway's elite mobilized within days, donating their time and talents to transform censorship into opportunity.

  • The critical distinction between institutional leadership and the passionate arts workers caught in the crossfire of political pressure.

  • Practical strategies for supporting threatened arts programs and bringing inclusive stories to your own community.

  • How to leverage unexpected setbacks into powerful platforms for change.


Have you experienced censorship or resistance in your creative work, or witnessed your local theaters facing similar challenges? I'd love to hear your stories of resilience and how you're fighting for inclusive spaces in your community. Join our growing movement of theater changemakers by following @inclusivestages on Instagram, or sign up for my weekly "Backstage Pass" newsletter, where I share exclusive resources, tools, and strategies that don't make it to the podcast. Together, we're not just talking about change—we're creating it, one stage at a time.

I think anytime something gets silenced by this administration, somebody needs to figure out how to amplify it and just show them that that is not gonna work. -Chris Nee

Links & Mentioned Resources



Connect with Our Guests:


Chris Nee


Chris Dimond & Michael Kooman


Connect with Kira:


Thanks for joining me on this episode of Inclusive Stages! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help me reach even more theater makers, theater artists, and theater lovers who want to make our industry a better place for everyone.


Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.


More about the Inclusive Stages Podcast


Welcome to 'Inclusive Stages' -- the go-to weekly podcast for theater makers, theater artists, and theater lovers who want to make our industry a better place for everyone. We'll chat with actors, directors, designers, scholars, and more about the current landscape of the theater scene and get their thoughts on how we can do better. 


Host Kira Troilo will also give you a sneak peek into live EDI coaching sessions and offer actionable tips for creating more equitable, inclusive, and empathetic theater spaces that support and value the diversity of artists and audiences. Join the conversation, and let's collectively shape the future of human-first theater, one stage at a time.


This post may contain affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you. 

 
 
 
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