Backstage Babble

Anna Zavelson

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

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.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Today, I am so incredibly thrilled to announce the release of my interview with Pulitzer-Prize winning Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose new album WARRIORS, co-written with Eisa Davis, is now out on all platforms. Tune in to hear stories and insights including how WARRIORS became his “Roman Empire,” the challenges of adapting an action movie into a musical, how Twitter helped him develop HAMILTON, the hardest role to cast in IN THE HEIGHTS, how he approaches the dual roles of actor and writer, why he loves writing New York stories, working with Thomas Kail on saving the Drama Book Shop, coming back to Broadway in ALL IN, how his experiences with FOSSE/VERDON and MARY POPPINS RETURNS led to TICK, TICK…BOOM!, filming at the New York Theater Workshop during the pandemic, taking inspiration from Jonathan Larson, the phone call from John Kander that led to NEW YORK, NEW YORK, meeting Stephen Sondheim in his senior year of high school, the enduring legacy of HAMILTON, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of theater’s most brilliant writers.

Kathleen Chalfant

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominated actress Kathleen Chalfant. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how Tony Kushner invited her to be part of ANGELS IN AMERICA, a letter from Larry Kramer during JUST SAY NO, how a fight broke out during her Broadway debut in DANCE WITH ME, the enormous difficulties of working with John Dexter on M. BUTTERFLY, taking on the role of Ronald Reagan in Sarah Ruhl’s PASSION PLAY, how she ended up on staff at Playwrights Horizons, the production of MILLENNIUM APPROACHES that was dubbed MR. TOAD’S WILD RIDE, performing in workshops of FINDING NEVERLAND and FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE, and her most memorable reviews from John Simon, Michael Feingold, and more. You won’t want to miss this conversation with a true theater veteran. 

Joe Mantello

Today, I’m thrilled to announce the release of my episode with legendary director and actor Joe Mantello. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including why he decided to stop acting after ANGELS IN AMERICA, what it meant that Terrence McNally took a chance on him with LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, working with and without Stephen Sondheim on HERE WE ARE, what he learned from Glenda Jackson in THREE TALL WOMEN, why he had the sound designer in the rehearsal room during GREY HOUSE, the unique experience of I’LL EAT YOU LAST, the process of maintaining WICKED, his experience with CORPUS CHRISTI and the backlash that came with it, what has made him decide to act on Broadway in THE NORMAL HEART and THE GLASS MENAGERIE, staging sensitive scenes in TAKE ME OUT and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE, what it was like making his Broadway debut with WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s most brilliant directors.

Stephanie Pope

Today, I’m thrilled to present my episode with triple threat Stephanie Pope. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her fantastic career, including her long collaboration with Bob Fosse, from her first audition for SWEET CHARITY to her conversations with him on the day that he died, why she was hounded by press during THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, what made her decide to recreate her role in JELLY’S LAST JAM, doing research for her role in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, going on at the last minute for Patina Miller in PIPPIN, how the pandemic led her to start directing, premiering SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE in London, going on the road with her daughter in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, announcing Gwen Verdon’s death from the stage during FOSSE, studying dance while attending high school, standing by for Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, how she aimed to leave the door open for fellow Black performers, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of Broadway’s most talented stars. 

Beth Leavel

Ticket Link: https://54below.org/events/beth-leavel-sings-sondheim/

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Beth Leavel, who will be performing a 54 Below concert celebrating the works of Stephen Sondheim on October 26 and 27. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the advice she got from Elaine Stritch, her process of finding the character of Dee Dee Allen in THE PROM, how 42ND STREET ruined a trip to Disneyland, performing for Elton John and Steven Spielberg, why her involvement in LEMPICKA felt fated by the universe, the role of hers that Eartha Kitt and Joan Van Ark also auditioned for, working with Casey Nicholaw on TUCK EVERLASTING and SOMETHING ROTTEN, the tragic closing of THE CIVIL WAR, taking inspiration from Margaret Dumont for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the most important lines in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this uproarious conversation with a true Broadway treasure. 

Allan Corduner

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with star of stage and screen Allan Corduner, who just finished a run as Hume Cronyn in THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE on the West End. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including crawling on the floor with Barbra Streisand, the unique process of working with Mike Leigh on TOPSY TURVY, how a coffee with Bartlett Sher led to MY FAIR LADY, dealing with technical issues during TITANIC, the antisemitism he faced in the British entertainment world, working with Joseph Papp on SERIOUS MONEY, the actor who died during the table read of YENTL, why he was more impressed by John Gielgud than Laurence Olivier, working with Mike Ockrent on his theater debut, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of our most charming and delightful stars.

Cathy Rigby

I could not be more thrilled to announce my guest for this week, olympic gymnast and Tony nominee Cathy Rigby. Tune in to hear some of the stories of Cathy’s incredible career, including how Disney on Parade turned her into a musical theater star, why competing in the Olympics almost led to her failing high school gym class, what it was like competing internationally during The Cold War, why she views Peter Pan as one of the saddest characters, why her last performance in the role was her best, a poignant experience helping a sick girl fly, casting her real-life children in touring productions of PETER PAN, observing that children are the same across the globe, learning SEUSSICAL in ten days, producing the upcoming revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Jason Alexander, collaborating with John Kenley, the challenge of appearing in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with an interdisciplinary master.

Mario Cantone

Today, I’m thrilled to present my interview with star of stage and screen Mario Cantone. Tune in to hear the stories of his legendary stage career, including how a phone call with Joe Mantello led to ASSASSINS, an early audition for TORCH SONG TRILOGY, when he almost co-starred with Pamela Adlon in THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, why he turned down THE PRODUCERS and THE LION KING, his struggle to find the comedy in THE TEMPEST, how a birthday party performance led to his Broadway solo show LAUGH WHORE, why a good impressionist is like a caricaturist, his friendships with Dorothy Loudon and Fred Ebb during OVER AND OVER, talking about Joan Crawford with Stephen Sondheim, developing BLISS out of town, the audition he walked out of, how AND JUST LIKE THAT has changed his life, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of the funniest men in show business.

Susan Stroman

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with legendary director and choreographer Susan Stroman. Tune in to hear all about her upcoming projects LEFT ON TENTH, ANGEL OF ARKANSAS, and SMASH, as well as some of the stories of her great career, including the lessons she learned from John Kander and Fred Ebb, the choreographic journey of THE MUSIC MAN, why CRAZY FOR YOU felt like it was in her blood, the art of partnering in STEEL PIER, why Hal Prince credits SHOWBOAT for his entire career, staging tryouts from Hunter College to Japan, watching Nathan Lane and Stephen Sondheim collaborate on THE FROGS, how an experience in a club and an offer from Andre Bishop led to CONTACT, finding the structure of NEW YORK, NEW YORK, her collaborations with dance arrangers including Glen Kelly and Peter Howard, the similarities and differences between Mel Brooks and Woody Allen, using visual inspiration for LITTLE DANCER, working on THOU SHALT NOT during 9/11, how research influenced her choreography for OKLAHOMA, the joys and challenges of directing POTUS right after the pandemic, and more. You won’t want to miss this interview with a true master of the American theater.

Jefferson Mays

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with the brilliant, Tony winning actor Jefferson Mays. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how three 5-minute plays at the Sundance Theater Festival evolved into I AM MY OWN WIFE, his experience performing that play in Poland, Brazil, and Australia, the backstage game he played with Angela Lansbury during THE BEST MAN, his unique take on Henry Higgins in PYGMALION, why he wishes a film had been made backstage at A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, the greatness of the late Steven Lutvak, a bloody accident during a site-specific ORESTES, why he used a prosthetic nose during THE MUSIC MAN, performing OSLO for the real-life Terje Rod-Larsen, what inspired his solo performance of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, how his vocal chords hemorrhaged during BLOOD AND GIFTS, taking advice from Robert Morse and Nathan Lane during THE FRONT PAGE, his next idea inspired by The Grand Guignol, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this episode with a once-in-a-generation talent.

Alyson Reed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.