Backstage Babble

Latest Episodes:

Alyson Reed Aug 17, 2024

Show notes

Today, I am thrilled to announce my interview with star of stage and screen Alyson Reed. Tune in to hear some of the stories of Alyson’s legendary career, including her difficult decision to leave A CHORUS LINE on the road, making amends with Michael Bennett, how “Let Me Dance For You” was restored to the film of A CHORUS LINE, a meaningful note from Hal Prince, the bumpy road to starring in MARILYN, how that show led to her role in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, dealing with protestors during OH, BROTHER, the cast’s nickname for DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER, replacing Karen Ziemba in A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, her passion for arts education, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation.

Celebrating 200 Episodes with Brandon Maggart and Lee Roy Reams Aug 10, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce the second part of Backstage Babble’s 200th episode celebration—a conversation with two of my favorite former guests, two friends, two mentors, two veteran performers, two Tony nominees--Lee Roy Reams and Brandon Maggart. Tune in to hear some of the stories of their parallel lives in the theater, including what it was like sharing a dressing room during APPLAUSE, the difference between Lauren Bacall and Carol Channing, their unusual experience arriving in Oklahoma City with LORELEI, how Tamara Long influenced the cast of that show and what made Jule Styne decide to keep her in it, what it was like for Lee Roy to teach Madeline Kahn the humor of HELLO, DOLLY!, how Susan Stroman convinced Brandon not to quit MUSICAL CHAIRS, how Lee Roy almost directed a revival of ANNIE 2, and Brandon’s run-in with Howard Keel during South Pacific. Plus, they talk about Ron Field, Karen Morrow, Oric Bovar, and Jane Powell, and both of them answer the James Lipton questionnaire! You won’t want to miss this episode with two super talents and very special people.

Jack O'Brien Aug 03, 2024

Show notes

The first part of Backstage Babble’s 200th episode celebration is here, and it is an honor to be talking theater legend Jack O’Brien, who recently received the lifetime achievement award at the 2024 Tonys. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his expansive career, including the genesis of his newest show THE ROOMMATE, his advice for young directors, his friendship an collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, figuring out the sensitive timing of SHUCKED, learning from Ellis Rabb about how to give notes to actors, the show of his that launched more careers than any other, his unique relationship with the cast of PORGY AND BESS, how he decided to leave his position as artistic director of The Old Globe, the intriguing critical response to IMAGINARY FRIENDS and CAROUSEL, how his revival of ST. LOUIS WOMAN almost came to Broadway, revising DAMN YANKEES with George Abbott, his criteria for choosing shows to direct, how INTO THE WOODS changed the regional theater landscape, and so much more. This episode is a masterclass in directing from one of the greatest theatrical minds of all time. I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate 200 episodes.

David Adjmi Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Today, I am thrilled to announce my interview with 2024 Tony award winning playwright David Adjmi, whose play Stereophonic has quickly become Broadway’s newest sensation. Tune in today for a deep dive into the making of that play, including its Reagan-focused political undercurrent, the plane trip that gave him inspiration, why he views his plays like jigsaw puzzles, the reason why some audiences don’t respond to the play, the site-specific production he originally imagined, how the pandemic foiled the initial plans for a Broadway production, how band practice created chemistry among the cast, the process of securing Playwrights Horizons, how he ensured his vision for the timing of the play was maintained, and so much more. You can also hear other stories from his great career, including why Marian Seldes made a great collaborator, how an unpleasant experience at Juilliard influenced his subsequent work, his interactions with Stephen Sondheim, why he looks up to Edward Albee, what he looks for in a director, why he wants to tackle musical theater next, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with a true genius in the American theater.

Sammi Cannold Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with one of Broadway’s best young directors, Sammi Cannold. Tune in to this interview to hear stories and insights from her amazing career, including how a DM led to her Broadway debut, the ins and outs of being an assistant director, how she first contacted Diane Paulus, putting Ingrid Michaelson into NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, her inspiration for staging VIOLET on a bus, staging RAGTIME as a young director, her guideposts for casting the role of Eva Peron, the immersive production she’d still like to do, how she made everyone involved with HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO feel comfortable along the way, looking at Hal Prince’s notes on the show, how she uses her mathematical mind in her directing work, and so much more.

Michael Greif Jun 29, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with the brilliant director Michael Greif, who completed a rare trifecta this season, directing the Broadway productions of Hell’s Kitchen, Days of Wine and Roses, and The Notebook. Tune in today to hear him share insights from his storied career, including the personal significance of directing at the Shubert Theater, how a production of MACHINAL jumpstarted his career, the challenges and rewards of reviving ANGELS IN AMERICA, what drove him to accept a position as the artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse, developing and refocusing NEXT TO NORMAL with Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, why he uses music in many of his plays, why NEVER GONNA DANCE couldn’t ultimately succeed, the joy of collaborating with Patti LuPone, his long tenure with The Public Theater, how he addresses the cast of every production of RENT, the special qualities he saw in Idina Menzel and Maleah Joi Moon at the beginning of their careers, why he decided to bring Schele Williams on as his co-director for THE NOTEBOOK, the play of his that almost moved to Broadway, the musical rule that he discovered while working on GIANT, WAR PAINT, and IF/THEN, and so much more.

Celebrating the Tony Awards with Heather Hitchens and Eila Mell Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

The Tonys are coming up! And Backstage Babble is giving you the perfect way to celebrate. On this episode, I am joined by Eila Mell, the author of the wonderful new book “The Tony Awards: Celebrating Excellence in the Theater,” a must-have for any theater fan, and Heather Hitchens, the CEO of the American Theater Wing, which presents the Tonys every year. Tune in for some fascinating anecdotes and insights, including how the legacy of Antoinette Perry influences the Tony Awards later on, how the Obie Awards were incorporated into the American Theater Wing, the Tony nominee that was hardest to track down for an interview, the many photo collections that were used in creating the book, the best Tony performances and biggest upsets from over the years, a last minute pedi-cab incident in getting to the ceremony, the logistics of choosing a host and a venue, the beauty of the Working in the Theater series, the Tony-nominated theater writers who received the Wing’s Jonathan Larson grant (and one who didn’t!), the experience of watching all the awards ceremonies, and so much more. Don’t miss this fascinating insider glimpse into the biggest night of the season!

Susan Birkenhead Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with legendary lyricist Susan Birkenhead. Tune in to hear the stories of her great career, including how Shirley Bernstein introduced her to Mary Rodgers, the song of hers that was cut from WORKING, the Patti LaBelle-led project that led to JELLY’S LAST JAM, the show she gets recognized for the most, the hardest role to cast in THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, how she became involved in BOOP, the lyric that Frank Sinatra loved, how Jule Styne became her mentor, the advice she got from Stephen Sondheim, workshopping the music of Cole Porter with Carolee Carmello, why she ultimately pulled out of FANNY HACKABOUT JONES, the musical she initiated, how she ended up in Lehman Engel’s workshop, adapting MOONSTRUCK, working with Cy Coleman on SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of theater’s most fascinating figures.

Betsy Aidem May 22, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with 2024 Tony nominee for Best Actress in a Play, Betsy Aidem. She was nominated for her staggering performance in Prayer for the French Republic, and you can tune in today to hear more about that process as well as some of the great stories of her legendary career, including the advice she got from Tom Stoppard, crashing auditions with John Malkovich and Des McAnuff, making her Broadway debut at the age of 57, meeting Lucille Ball and Elizabeth Taylor backstage at Steel Magnolias, originating the role of Toni in Appropriate, working with David Cromer on Prayer for the French Republic and other plays, the joy of collaborating with Marian Seldes, what it’s like being nominated for a Tony, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview.

Rita Rudner May 19, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce the release of my episode with legendary comedian and Broadway performer Rita Rudner. Tune in to hear her talk about all the facets of her career, including learning wings for Gower Champion, the show she calls “the first feel-bad musical,” the advantages of working with her husband, the difficult transition from musical theater into comedy, why she doesn’t do topical material, the ins and outs of making jokes about your family, why Bob Fosse would never hire her, how she almost did a musical with Gary Beach, running into Robert Morse at Starbucks, adapting her novel into a play, the ageism she’s faced in the comedy business, why she was never in A Chorus Line, the word she’s removed from her act, forming a close friendship during Follies, the skills she learned in The Magic Show, opening a new theater with So Long, 174th Street, and so much more.

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