My Dinner With Kenny Podcasts
Ken is one half of the podcast “My Dinner with Kenny” … the other half is his dear friend and award-winning lighting designer Steven Young. MDWK is a twice-monthly general discussion of life, the arts, politics, and entertainment news along with assorted hijinks, and on occasion, fabulous guests. Recorded at Panera Bread Restaurant in Studio City, CA. And by the way … the hijinks are the best part. In addition to being available on this website and Steven Young’s website, you may subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio or on iTunes! Please remember to leave a comment, by clicking on any episode title and entering your rave reviews below the podcast player:
June 29, 2015
Seriously? Bicycles? We are arguing about bicycles? What has happened to this podcast?!?! Join Kenny and Steven as they scrape the bottom of the barrel, and come up empty handed – but its all very entertaining. Check it out!
June 9, 2015
Have you ever had one of THOSE days…? When the podcast is filled with hiccups, strange noises, a moment where you have to stop and start again, and well, an ill timed 7 second delay? Kenny and Steven try valiantly to keep their composure and talk about all of the important things, but the universe conspires against them! Will they survive? Will MDWK triumph over technology? Will someone please turn off that beeping alarm?? Listen in for an episode like no other!
Thanks to Emily Goodall for the introduction!
May 11, 2015
The boys are thrilled to welcome back very special guest Erich Bergen as he shares the incredible story of performing at The White House with his fellow Jersey Boys where he met and chatted with President Obama, the First Lady, Vice President Biden, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, and more … zowee! You can almost hear Steven and Kenny sitting there with their mouths hanging open! Thanks to Jeremy Lelliott for that yummy introduction…
April 13, 2015
The boys are back! This week, Steven and Kenny invade the International House of Pancakes on Sunset Boulevard and discuss the further developments in the LA 99 seat saga, plus the breaking news of Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid announcement. We live in exciting times, with tasty lunches. Got a comment or question, email directly to the team to be included in next week’s podcast!
Special thanks to Katie Pelensky of the Coeurage Theatre Company for the great introduction!
March 11, 2015
Well … this one’s definitely a milestone. Steven and Kenny discuss the current Actors Equity 99-seat Plan brouhaha and things get pretty heated. Take a listen. And then please post your thoughts and comments. Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
February 17, 2015
Incredibly, this week’s podcast marks the second anniversary of My Dinner With Kenny. BJ made a quick guest appearance as our opening announcer (he did it live)! We spent some time chatting about the sad passing of Chuck, one of Steven’s cats, and then moved on to discussing – of all things – the US Postal Service. Next time, we promise to discuss the uproar over proposed changes to the 99-seat theatre plan here in LA. Will we see eye-to-eye on the subject? Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
January 26, 2015
Panera on a Monday, and all the crazies showed up right on schedule. Kenny and Steven chat this week about Steven’s recent design of Billy Elliot, directed by the fabulous Brian Kite. Plus, Kenny’s mouse is acting up, time to set a trap and have it put down. So much theatre to see in Los Angeles this month, its hard to name them all. What show will YOU see this month? Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
January 6, 2015
Welcome to 2015! Kenny and Steven discuss some theatre, some movies, some celebrities. All the good stuff. Not sure how anyone can confuse Joanna Gleason with Judith Light, but Kenny seems to be able to make that happen. If you haven’t seen Into the Woods, or Birdman, there are spoilers in here, so go see these movies immediately! And honestly, is a second farewell tour considered a revival? Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
December 20, 2014
Just under the wire, and for your year-end listening entertainment… The final episode of MDWK for 2014! Sorry about the poor microphone quality – but it’s only 12 minutes, so suffer! The boys met up this time at a Taco Bell restaurant for Kenny’s birthday, and it was worth every penny spent on those 99 cent tacos. Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
November 25, 2014
This episode should have been sponsored by Warby Parker, Happy Socks, and TILLAMOOK! (Call us, we will work out a deal). Michael Bulger joins Steven and Kenny as they talk about practically nothing other than Kenny’s recent education into the powerful effects of certain controlled substances. The holidays are upon us, and the year is nearly over. Hopefully the boys will be able to meet once more before 2014 ends! Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
November 6, 2014
OMG. Steven is a Chinese mess. The boys meet once again via some sketchy international internet and discuss Halloween, Cannibal the Musical, and give a sweet wrap up to the recent Los Angeles Ovation Awards. You won’t want to miss a moment of this episode! Word of warning: don’t press any buttons, very dangerous. Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes, or Stitcher Radio!
October 5, 2014
Join the dynamic duo as Kenny gets his mind blown: Steven joins the broadcast from China via the miracle of modern technology. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review at on iTunes and Stitcher Radio to get this podcast delivered straight to all of your favorite podcast listening devices.
September 15, 2014
Monday night, and the screenwriters group was taking up all of the tables at Panera. Hope they don’t mind Kenny and Steven laughing it up so nearby! Tonight’s episode centered around Joan Rivers, her impact on Kenny, plus more discussion of Steven’s world travels, and various other tidbits. Next episode comes from a split up duo – so many miles between them can this be called a dinner show anymore? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review at on iTunes and Stitcher Radio to get this podcast delivered straight to all of your favorite podcast listening devices.
August 25, 2014
Friends? Buddies? Kenny and Steven met up again this week, discussing the state of the 99 seat theatre system in Los Angeles, and Steven’s continued work in China. Did they solve anything? Probably not, but the cookies were AMAZING. Tell your friends (and your buddies) to subscribe on iTunes and keep My Dinner with Kenny growing each episode! Again, all y’alls, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review at on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
August 3, 2014
The boys get together again…. virtually… for another global edition of My Dinner with Kenny, with fun filled discussions about the nightlife in China, and racists in America. Intro provided by Jin, a friend of Steven’s in China, and superior sound quality provided by the Chinese internet – ugh. Let the craziness begin! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review at on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
July 15, 2014
This episode, Kenny lost the battle with his inner censor, and gleefully repeated his favorite words over, and over, and over again. Kenny gives his report on Buyer and Cellar, and how delicious Michael Urie is – those are Kenny’s words exactly. The duo celebrated Steven’s recent birthday with fancy socks, and the promise of sparklers from the 4th of July. And yes, if you have time to read this episode summary, you have time to go to iTunes and subscribe and leave a review. Do it, or the terrorists win. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
June 30, 2014
So much news. So much to discuss. Brian Beacock surprised Steven and Kenny and stopped by to chat about his web series “Acting Dead” – find it at www.ActingDead.com. Go check it out! Kenny and Brian reminisced about “Naked Boys Singing,” Jewish holidays, and FUBAR. If only Neil Patrick Harris could hear this podcast, he’d know how Kenny loves him. Watch out, David. Oh, Steven told about how he looked fabulous in blue velvet, and then terrible with food poisoning. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
June 16, 2014
Well, the boys were both a little slap happy tonight, and the Chocolate Chipper cookie didn’t help matters any. Steven and Kenny discuss Michele Lee, Las Vegas, the Hollywood Fringe Festival… and underwear. Enjoy the chaos, as Kenny curses more, and more, and more… Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
June 2, 2014
On Monday, a very “blue” Monday, Kenny and Steven joined the boisterous ranks of diners at Panera to chat about Les Miserables, The Drowsy Chaperone movie, Time magazine, and proper google stalking techniques. And for the record, Goonies should totally be considered a classic movie in the Netflix Classics genre. Please subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
May 13, 2014
Well, HELLO MAY. Where has spring gone? and why is it so hot in Los Angeles. Join Steven and Kenny as they discuss home remodeling criminals, lice outbreaks and Jim Nabors. Hold onto your localized kitchen earthquakes, here comes another episode for the record books. Please subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
April 30, 2014
Join Steven and Kenny as they discuss the Tony nominations, the LA Riots and subsequent fires, plus the most important topic of the day… Sandals. This is the episode that cannot be missed. Please subscribe and leave a review on iTunes and Stitcher Radio as well.
April 17, 2014
For the record, this podcast episode chats about the recent Vanity Fair review of Los Angeles theatre, plus side conversations delving into the vocal stylings of Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minnelli, and Ann Miller. Kenny brags about Mack & Poppy, and of course, Erich Bergen again, and Steven complains about his skinny jeans. Listen at your own risk.
April 2, 2014
April Fools gotcha, cause.. it is the 2nd… Enjoying a lovely power bowl with chicken spinach and hummus (hold the onions) Steven and Kenny met again this week to discuss all sorts of Los Angeles shenanigans and rarely finish any story that they begin. Ever wonder why clear-com speakers are called “biscuits”? Find out here, because that might be the only actual information imparted this week. Subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Radio too!
March 11, 2014
It’s warming up in Studio City, which means fire trucks, longer days of sunshine, and lots of laughter. Kenny and Steven discuss their field trip to Orange County to see the Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo production of “Lac,” the recent name change to the Foxwoods Theatre in New York, and all sorts of License Plates… all the while eating chocolate chip cookies. Or, at least Kenny enjoyed the cookies. Steven has given up eating for Lent. Now available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio too!
February 25, 2014
Death. Seems that’s all this episode was about. Harold Ramis died, and so did Liz Stillwell. And Kenny’s prescriptions are almost empty, so we are all in trouble. With so many downloads of MDWK, Steven and Kenny are at it again, chatting about Los Angeles theatre, critics, websites, and the differences between corporations and individuals. Have a listen!
February 12, 2014
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and a sense of “deja vu” has fallen over the Studio City Panera Restaurant – it’s the MDWK one year anniversary! Last year, on this very day, Kenny and Steven recorded their first podcast, and now, a full year later, they meet again, discussing Los Angeles theatre, Justin Beiber, dead celebrities, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Oreos. BJ Hunstad joins with some earth shattering stories, and everyone laughs so hard that Kenny nearly dies. Thanks for joining us for another episode!
January 6, 2014
Happy New Year everyone! It’s 2014, so Kenny and Steven have resolved to be better podcasters and better theatergoers, and, well, just better. With surprise guest Brian Beacock to start off the new year, what could go wrong?
December 17, 2013
Just in time for the Holidays, Kenny and Steven get together to discuss some more holiday music, the GMCLA, Laguna Playhouse, and the Postal Service. Even the self service kiosks were busy. Los Angeles also has two great versions of A Christmas Carol out there that everyone should run out to see! The year of podcasts draws to a close and although the boys get a little sentimental, they will be back in 2014 for more “You Pick 2″ meals and conversation!
November 26, 2013
Somehow, at this thankful holiday, Kenny and Steven earned the explicit rating handily. Join them as they discuss the iPhone’s autocorrect function, Steven’s trip to IAAPA, and Panera’s district manager. If you enjoy Christmas music, theme parks, and soup and sandwich combos, pull up a chair and take a listen!
November 6, 2013
Steven and Kenny sit down after a tasty salad and some soup to discuss how busy the fall has become – time is flying by! Since the last podcast, the Los Angeles Ovation Awards were held, Steven went to Macau and designed a show there, and Hell must have frozen over, because Erich Bergen actually recorded an introduction for us! Give a listen to this week’s podcast, with special information from roving reporter, Amy Stoddard…
October 22, 2013
Kenny and Steven chew their way through a few more topics this week, mainly discussing Steven’s recent trip to NYC, and urban legends about Irene Ryan dying during a performance of Pippin. Oh, you’ve heard that too, huh? It isn’t true. Or so the internet says, but you can’t believe everything on the internet.
October 7, 2013
Steven and Kenny welcome Zane Jensch (pronounced YENCH!) who tells us all about theme park inception and development… plus they talk about gifts, Burger Chef memorabilia, and people who need to be slapped. Which doesn’t mean Brian Beacock… who paid us a surprise visit! Don’t slap him, that would be rude. Zane Jensch is an award-winning writer, director and producer who has created wildly imaginative stories in a diverse range of media. In the field of themed entertainment, Zane has created rides, shows, museum exhibits, touring attractions, theme park concepts and destination resorts on four continents. Zane was a college sophomore when he was recruited to develop concepts and write for Universal Studios Creative. There he helped create rides, shows and attractions that can be seen in every Universal park around the globe. Over the last decade, Zane served as a Creative Director on more than 100 major entertainment projects around the world, including the award-winning Ice Age Adventure dark ride, the thrilling Furius Baco dark ride/ launch coaster and the Information and Communication Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo. Recently, Zane produced the movie SpongeBob SquarePants 4D: The Great Jelly Rescue, which debuted at SimEx Theaters worldwide. Also in the summer of 2013, Zane opened Dragons Go Go Wild – a trackless, multi-media interactive dark ride through a stylized storybook realm. Zane holds a BA from the University of Central Florida, is the recipient of the Walt Disney Dreamer and Doer Award, and three Themed Entertainment Association Awards.
September 24, 2013
Steven and Kenny rant and rave about pumpkin spice, fall weather, and clowns. Kenny thought the biggest news story for the past two weeks is the fact that Steven got a haircut, but Steven disagreed – clearly the biggest news story was Steven’s sister becoming engaged!!
September 9, 2013
Steven and Kenny meet again over some salad and soup, and even a chocolate chip cookie talking about Photo Shoots, Yom Kippur, and the business of show.
August 28, 2013
Steven and Kenny are alone this week, no guests at all. They talk about movie musicals, Halloween candy, and podcasts past. Poor Geoffery Rush, he gets a lot of “discussion” in this podcast. Don’t you feel sorry for him? Steven doesn’t. Kenny might.
August 13, 2013
Kenny and Steven are joined by the famous and delish Erich Bergen, who confesses his love of Los Angeles, Nancy Odell, and Panera. Unfortunately Facebook isn’t even discussed in the first few minutes, and apparently the clean MDWK is gone forever. Erich Bergen will reprise his critically acclaimed performance as Bob Gaudio in the feature film adaptation of Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood, to be released in 2014. Erich previously starred in the original touring, Los Angeles and Las Vegas casts of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical. Other recent stage roles include the title role in Hero at the Marriott Lincolnshire, Billy Crocker in the National Tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Anything Goes, and Rudi Gernreich in the Los Angeles premiere of The Temperamentals. On TV: Gossip Girl, Person Of Interest, Desperate Housewives, Franklin & Bash. His film debut, How Sweet It Is, costarring Paul Sorvino and Joe Piscopo, will be released on DVD, iTunes and OnDemand in Fall 2013. Erich’s album, The Vegas Sessions, is available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.com. For more info, please visit erichbergen.com and on Twitter @erichbergen.
August 1, 2013
Happy August! The year is flying by, and look who’s flown in? It’s Tod Macofsky, who joins Steven and Kenny for tonight’s crazy-fest. Topics tonight ranged from diabetes to dildos, and various … awkward topics in between. Take a listen and enjoy the fun! Tod Macofsky is a native of Los Angeles and has been performing there for over 25 years. After studying theatre directing at UCLA, he began doing cruise ship production shows. Tod’s claim to fame is playing the original Bris boy in the hit review Naked Boys Singing! at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood for which he won an LA Weekly Award for Best Musical Ensemble. He has been a proud member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles for the past 12 years and of the spin-off five-man a cappella group ‘N Pynk. He has been touring the university circuit in the anti-bullying musical it gets better. Tod is the co-writer and one-half of the comic cabaret duo Mack & Poppy. Recently, Tod played a shot, frozen and decapitated dead body on the ABC-TV show Castle.
July 16, 2013
Kenny and Steven welcome another set of guests to the podcast as Michael Bulger and BJ Hunstad join the mayhem to discuss SO many topics, they just never stopped. If you enjoy scattered and bizarre conversation, this is the episode for you. Michael Bulger is a theatrical producer and director, and this past May graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration. He currently works as associate producer at Clubbed Thumb in NYC. Since moving to New York in 2011, Michael has worked for St. Ann’s Warehouse on Karen O’s psycho-opera Stop the Virgens, with The Public Theatre’s Mobile Shakespeare Unit, and on Cherry Lane’s 2013 Mentor Project. Follow Michael on Twitter at @ClubbedThumb. And he is Kenny’s hero. BJ Hunstad is an aspiring LA actor and fantastic Panera worker bee type person – not a host, not a server. He says he is just an investment for Kenny’s future wealth and happiness. Hailing from the great state of Kentucky and having been raised in Georgia, BJ doesn’t have a bicycle and needs to remedy that immediately. Not that this has anything to do with being from Kentucky. Follow BJ on Twitter at @BJHunstad.
June 23, 2013
Well, isn’t the world a modern place. This episode is brought to you from cyberspace, where Steven and Kenny met somewhere between West Hollywood and Seoul, Korea. Join them as they chat about Facebook (again) Theatre in Los Angeles, and well… all sorts of things. “Oppa is Gangnam style!”
June 12, 2013
Happy Russia Day! Join Kenny and Steven on a rare Wednesday podcast as they tackle subjects such as the wonder that is Neil Patrick Harris, the Tony Awards, Diana Ross, vocal ticks, and exotic travel to all parts NOT Los Angeles. Tell your friends, your family, and your pets to listen in to My Dinner with Kenny, subscribe on iTunes, and don’t forget to leave us some feedback here! Oh hey… here’s an interesting update for you all…. The Suez Canal is actually in Egypt, and the Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (and actually through the Caribbean Sea). Steven apparently lost his mind during the podcast, and got the two confused, although how anyone could confuse these two canals is anyone’s guess. Stay tuned in less than two weeks for a special international episode. Cross your fingers and toes that it all works out correctly!!
May 23, 2013
May is nearly at an end, and Steven and Kenny have gathered once again to discuss Memorial Day, Indy car racing, the life of Los Angeles theatre legend Lee Melville and Facebook tools. Also, Kenny challenges everyone to tell him how they feel about reading theatre reviews, and we desperately need an education about our presidential birthdays.
May 9, 2013
After a tasty salad and some delicious baguette, Kenny and Steven sit down to discuss the previous couple of weeks, Strep Throat, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and BJ’s dinner break. Plus, a heated discussion dominates the conversation concerning the inherent goodness and/or extreme selfishness and self-centered nature of mankind. Listen in, and then let us know YOUR opinion!
April 25, 2013
This week, Kenny makes a triumphant return to the airwaves, and he is filled with thoughts about local Los Angeles theatre, people he knows, and Rod Keller. Steven talks about nothing in particular and complains that he’s been sick a lot lately. Oh, and both of them do impersonations of prostitutes.
March 28, 2013
Through a stroke of luck, even though Kenny was out of town, star of stage and screen Rod Keller agreed to sit down and chat with me for this special episode. Join Steven and Rod as they discuss hair perms, baskets, Six Dance Lessons and more. Rod Keller www.rodkeller.net is an Ovation award-winning Los Angeles based actor known for his quirky good looks, insane talent, and razor sharp wit. Appearing in such motion pictures as He’s Just Not That Into You, Johan Hex, and A Guy, A Girl, a Space Helmet, Rod brings his warmth and hilarious comedic timing to the silver screen. Rod has also appeared on television, guest starring in episodes of CBS’ hit series Two Broke Girls and NCIS, not to mention his broadway role in the acclaimed revival of Big River. Stay tuned for next week’s regularly staffed podcast and hear all about Kenny’s trip deep into the OC, plus some insider info about the podcast’s bunker location…
March 13, 2013
What time is it? 7:30 or so… and well, now Steven finally arrived and we started recording. Discussion this week? Telephones. Pay scales, and well… cookies. Join us for just less than an hour of disjointed conversation, ranting and dead batteries. Suck on that Dr. Laura.
February 26, 2013
Hey, hey, hey! Ok, we made it to a second episode of the podcast! Who knew that we would actually do this even once, let alone twice. Listen as Steven and Kenny piss off a few people, spout out some opinions, and grovel for listener comments and, well… more listeners. Tell your friends and neighbors to listen to the podcast, and hopefully soon we will be available on iTunes. Hopefully. If Steven figures out how to submit it.
February 13, 2013
In this first episode of the podcast, Kenny and Steven sit down to discuss The Grammys, Traffic, and Valentine’s Day. Oh, and Steven proves that he has no competence in actually introducing the podcast.