Backstage Babble

Latest Episodes:

Reg Rogers Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated actor Reg Rogers, who is currently starring as Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theater. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his favorite joke that was cut from TOOTSIE, understudying Brian Bedford in THE MOLIERE COMEDIES, being cast against type in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, his research process for HOLIDAY, the surprising audience reaction to PROPOSALS, taking notes during THE ICEMAN COMETH, performing ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL in the rain, the gift that Rosemary Harris gave him during THE ROYAL FAMILY, discovering YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this conversation with one of the funniest actors around!

Jessica Hecht Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony nominee Jessica Hecht, who is currently starring on Broadway in Jonathan Spector’s EUREKA DAY. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how FIDDLER ON THE ROOF led to The Campfire Project, finding her character’s voice in SUMMER, 1976, learning from Arthur Miller during AFTER THE FALL, how she related to her character in THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, finding her interpretation of Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, the challenges of playing opposite Denzel Washington in JULIUS CAESAR, how she got cast on FRIENDS, why she connects to the work of Neil Simon, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this honest conversation with one of Broadway’s finest actresses.

Michael Berresse Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with theater veteran Michael Berresse. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his brief moment being directed by Jerome Robbins during FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, the process of bringing TITLE OF SHOW to Broadway, creating his version of “Bianca” in KISS ME, KATE, understudying the lead role in DAMN YANKEES, bringing Bob Mackie to the stage in THE CHER SHOW, how he became artistic director of The Weston Playhouse, staging a revival of THE GOLDEN APPLE at Encores!, his onstage accident during BUSKER ALLEY, the isolation of playing Zach in A CHORUS LINE, auditioning for Ann Reinking for CHICAGO, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best actors and directors.

Lea DeLaria Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with one of stage and screen’s funniest comedians, Lea DeLaria. You can buy tickets to her “Brunch is Gay” series at 54 Below at this link: https://54below.org/events/lea-delaria-brunch-is-gay-2/

Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how she made everyone break during POTUS, winning over Adolph Green at her ON THE TOWN audition, a memorable ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW stage door encounter, going solo in HAPPY DAYS, her friendship with Elaine Stritch, the joy of working with Gavin Creel on PROMETHEUS BOUND, being the first openly gay comedian on TV, her journey to playing “Big Boo” on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, developing SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, starring in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS in California, why she thinks LIL’ ABNER should be revived, sharing a special moment with Austin Pendleton during NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, and the current Broadway show she would love to star in. You won’t want to miss this honest and hilarious conversation with a beloved star.

Annie Golden Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

Today, I am thrilled to announce my episode with star of stage and screen Annie Golden. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including being discovered by Milos Forman at CBGB’s, how Marc Shaiman played her HAIR audition, why LEADER OF THE PACK didn’t work on Broadway, how her role in ASSASSINS was inspired by Kate Bush, learning from Colleen Dewhurst during AH, WILDERNESS!, rehearsing with Kathleen Freeman for THE FULL MONTY, recording demos for HAIRSPRAY, being directed by Howard Ashman in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, workshopping BROADWAY BOUNTY HUNTER at the West Bank Cafe, performing with Veanne Cox in NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CLASS OF ’86, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a theater veteran.

Michael Mayer Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning director Michael Mayer, whose musical SWEPT AWAY is playing on Broadway through December 15th. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the process of bringing SWEPT AWAY to Broadway, how Howard Ashman inspired his revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, working with new faces on SPRING AWAKENING and AMERICAN IDIOT, how Giulietta Massina inspired his take on FUNNY GIRL, working with Charles Schulz on YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, directing MARNIE and GROUNDED at the Metropolitan Opera, the process of reviving ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, a last-minute switch with UNCLE VANYA, working with Arthur Miller on AFTER THE FALL and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, his current work on GALILEO, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best directors.

Betsy Joslyn Dec 01, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway veteran Betsy Joslyn. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including why she crossed her eyes while singing “Green Finch and Linnet Bird” in SWEENEY TODD, preparing to go on at the last minute in THE GOODBYE GIRL, the many changes that were made to A DOLL’S LIFE, how she ended up with the final bow in INTO THE WOODS, a treasured piece of art from her time in THE FANTASTICKS, why she decided to leave the business after LES MIS, the kindness of Stacy Keach during CAMELOT, what she learned from Bernadette Peters and Angela Lansbury, playing cards during HIGH SOCIETY, her one performance in A FEW GOOD MEN, why you should never be funnier than Mel Brooks, how she convinced George Hearn to star in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this conversation with one of Broadway’s best leading ladies.

Daisy Prince Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with one of theater’s most brilliant directors, Daisy Prince. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how she first met Jason Robert Brown at a piano bar, the way in which Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince were opposite sides of a coin, the day that THE LAST FIVE YEARS was performed in chronological order, meeting her husband during THE PETRIFIED PRINCE, why she wasn’t shocked by the closing of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, how a Yoko Ono musical led to SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, the mentorship she has received from Paula Vogel, Richard Maltby, Jr., and other great theater artists, how she came up with the idea for THE CONNECTOR, casting Ben Levi Ross and Hannah Cruz in starring roles, the rewards of staging a period piece, and so much more, including a heartfelt tribute to Gavin Creel given on the day of his tragic passing. You won’t want to miss this conversation with a theater artist whose legacy has spanned generations.

Anna Zavelson Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with one of musical theater’s fastest-rising stars, Anna Zavelson, who is currently starring in Broadway’s THE NOTEBOOK. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her fantastic career, including collaborating with her fellow Allies Maryann Plunkett and Aisha Jackson, working with Michael Greif and Schele Williams to find her unique take on the role, her audition process for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Encores!, the challenges and rewards of staying in school while performing in New York, putting together her solo show, her two thwarted attempts at starring in SPELLING BEE, her lasting friendship with Andrea Burns, the ins and outs of performing in the Jimmy Awards, her dream jukebox musicals, the secret weapon she uses for an eight-show week, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this chat with one of Broadway’s best!

Sherie Rene Scott Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Today, I am thrilled to announce the release of my interview with Broadway legend Sherie Rene Scott, who is currently starring as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her career, including how she discovered theater growing up, the process of training for THE LAST FIVE YEARS, transferring EVERYDAY RAPTURE to Broadway in twelve days, the challenges she faced as a replacement in RENT, deciding between two roles in GREASE, the joys of working with Disney on AIDA, learning from her Broadway debut in TOMMY, the roles she almost played in CABARET and NEXT TO NORMAL, a last-minute audition for OVER AND OVER, how an opening night gift for WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN led to her show WHORL INSIDE A LOOP, learning to fall out of a window in THE FRONT PAGE, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

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