Backstage Babble

Sarah Ruhl

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with legendary playwright Sarah Ruhl. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her experience breaking the fourth wall in EURYDICE, telling her own story in LETTERS FROM MAX, watching the audience response to IN THE NEXT ROOM, teaching at the Yale School of Drama, addressing addiction in BECKY NURSE OF SALEM, exploring Virginia Woolf’s portrayal of gender in ORLANDO, the advice she got from Paula Vogel, doing research to create the three parts of PASSION PLAY, exploring Chekhov’s writing when adapting THE THREE SISTERS, how a writing exercise led to HOW TO TRANSCEND A HAPPY MARRIAGE, passing the torch to Philip Howze, turning MELANCHOLY PLAY into a musical, telling a metatheatrical story in STAGE KISS, and so much more. Don’t miss this wide-ranging conversation with a brilliant writer.

Michael Hayden

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Michael Hayden. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the real questions asked by CAROUSEL, finding his singing voice for the role, why he decided to leave CABARET, getting advice from Edward Albee during THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, playing two roles in ALL MY SONS, what Stephen Sondheim told him during MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, working at Trader Joe’s during the pandemic, why he had trouble memorizing his lines for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, the lessons he learned at Juilliard, acting opposite Maximilian Schell in JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG, joining HENRY IV during rehearsals, the intensity of performing in FESTEN, playing Roy Cohn in the first production of ANGELS IN AMERICA, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a veteran actor.

Deirdre O'Connell

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Deirdre O’Connell, who is currently starring in Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the intensive process of learning DANA H, her harrowing Broadway debut in THE FRONT PAGE, what she learned from Geraldine Page on AGNES OF GOD, doing research for MAGIC/BIRD, finding the timing of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, how Marianne Faithfull influenced GLASS. KILL. WHAT IF IF ONLY. IMP., unfortunate entrance applause in CORSICANA, winning a Tony award, starring in THE SEAGULL at Lake Lucille, working with Suzan-Lori Parks on IN THE BLOOD, the joy of collaborating with Maria Irene Fornes, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Patricia Conolly

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Patricia Conolly, who has appeared in over 30 Broadway shows. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including acting with Laurence Olivier in THE BROKEN HEART, a note Tom Stoppard gave her during THE COAST OF UTOPIA, playing for Lauren Bacall in WAITING IN THE WINGS, understanding her part in THE HEIRESS, a mystical experience taking over for Geraldine Page in BLITHE SPIRIT, working with the APA company on YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, a kind gesture from Aaron Sorkin during TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, what Tony Randall asked her during JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG, using an accent for THE FRONT PAGE, having dinner with Tennessee Williams, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a true theater legend.

Danny Mefford

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway director and choreographer Danny Mefford, whose productions of SPELLING BEE and BIGFOOT are currently playing off-Broadway. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including identifying the central arc in SPELLING BEE, his journey with staging THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the secret to the success of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, being confused for Ben Platt, staging “Ring of Keys” in FUN HOME, making his Broadway debut with BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, working with child actors, the problem with the story of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, staging rollerskating in KIMBERLY AKIMBO, making his directorial debut with SHREK, developing MISS YOU LIKE HELL out of town, collaborating with Michael Friedman on LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST, acting at Williamstown Theater Festival, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Linda Emond

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with three-time Tony nominee Linda Emond, who is currently starring in BECKY SHAW. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her winding road to her Broadway debut in 1776, working with Mike Nichols and Philip Seymour Hoffman on DEATH OF A SALESMAN, why she initially said no to CABARET, having a role written for her in IHO, performing Tony Kushner’s monologue HOMEBODY, workshopping THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, co-starring with Brent Spiner in LIFE X 3, developing the musical OVER AND OVER, reviving A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY, what draws her to a project, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Sam Gold

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with visionary director Sam Gold. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how Alan Rickman got him his Broadway directing debut with SEMINAR, acting as a college student in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, adapting a graphic novel to the stage with FUN HOME, his approach to revivals, staging Shakespeare after the pandemic, his visual concept for THE BLACK EYED, working with a differently abled actor on CORSICANA, exploring sleeplessness in MACBETH, the central scene in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, the difficulty of collaborating with ˝Glenda Jackson on KING LEAR, modulating the humor in ANGRY ALAN, casting ROMEO + JULIET, bringing THE GLASS MENAGERIE from the Netherlands to Broadway, why staging Annie Baker’s plays is like choreography, modulating silences in CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, and so much more. Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation with a true genius.

Daphne Rubin-Vega

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega, who is currently starring in THE ADDING MACHINE at The New Group. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the relevance of Elmer Rice’s play, gaining early stardom with RENT, identifying with Magenta in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, working with Philip Seymour Hoffman on JACK GOES BOATING, starring on screen in SMASH, being directed by Emily Mann in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, finding her take on Fantine in LES MISERABLES, and so much more. Don’t miss this entertaining conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Laurence O'Keefe

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated composer, lyricist, and librettist Laurence O’Keefe, author of the musical HEATHERS, which is currently playing at New World Stages. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including developing BAT BOY at the Actors’ Gang, revising the show for productions at Harvard and Encores!, deconstructing the title song of LEGALLY BLONDE, what he learned from the Hasty Pudding Show, what Lorne Michaels says about high school musicals, why he initially said no to HEATHERS, doing musical research for the show, making the film effective for modern audiences, what he learned from Annie Tippe, crafting a uniquely American story with HUZZAH!, why musical theater is inherently preachy, writing harmony for “Seventeen,” looking for moments to musicalize, performing cut songs at Birdland, casting the role of Elle Woods, working with Hal Prince on THE MICE, premiering THE LIFE OF THE PARTY at LaGuardia, why he cut “Blue,” his favorite compositional principles, working with David Shiner and Cirque Du Soleil, his new project involving Fado music, and so much more. Don’t miss this masterclass in musical theater writing with one of the best in the business.

Tina Landau

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated writer and director Tina Landau. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including conceiving the SPONGEBOB musical, how she decided to bring in multiple pop artists to write the score, meeting Adam Guettel at Yale, developing REDWOOD with Idina Menzel, how the concept for that musical evolved, how that show reflected a personal tragedy, the two plays she wrote as a child, what she writes on casting sheets, researching FLOYD COLLINS, what she takes from Athol Fugard and Hal Prince, what attracted her to BELLS ARE RINGING, building music into MOTHER PLAY, how she found the Viewpoints method, how Anne Bogart changed her view of theater, how she joined Steppenwolf, having actors generate movement, creating OLD HATS with Bill Irwin and David Shiner, the emotional experience of directing THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, what she would like to work on next, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Jonathan Cake

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with star of stage and screen Jonathan Cake, who is currently starring in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his collaboration with Fiona Shaw on MEDEA, touring as a young actor with the National Youth Theater, how he first encountered DEATH OF A SALESMAN, bringing Tennessee Williams’ BABY DOLL to the stage, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company, how AND JUST LIKE THAT changed the way he dresses, working with an American company on CYMBELINE, why he turned down RICHARD III, a memorable incident while performing DOUBT, what he thinks about onstage intimacy, changing his look for THE PHILANTHROPIST, what he’s learned from his podcast STAGE DOOR JONNY, working with Ethan Coen on ALMOST AN EVENING, performing in the Globe Theatre, starring in FUENTE OVEJUNA after the pandemic, balancing being a father with being an actor, the challenges of starring in CORIOLANUS in the Park, and so much more. Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation with a master craftsman.

Backstage Babble Shorts: Rocco Landesman and Tony Shalhoub

Today, I’m thrilled to announce two Backstage Babble shorts: conversations with legendary artists that, for whatever reason, didn’t last as long as full episodes. For this special episode, it is an honor to welcome producer and theater owner Rocco Landesman, and Tony winner Tony Shalhoub, who is currently starring in Antigone (This Play I Read in High School) at the Public Theater. Don’t miss these fascinating talks with two of Broadway’s most brilliant minds.

Micaela Diamond

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Micaela Diamond. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including finding her voice in PARADE, acting opposite Ben Platt, what she learned from her debut in THE CHER SHOW, researching Cher’s life and career, learning from Stephanie J. Block and Teal Wicks, getting notes from Ethan Coen in A PLAY IS A POEM, building the character of Fritz in HERE WE ARE, the monologues that were written for and cut from the piece, understudying Sara Bareilles in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, what attracted her to THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS, the adventure of starring in ROW at Williamstown, how THE SOUND OF MUSIC ignited her love of theater, learning to cook during the pandemic, her new starring role in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Elizabeth Marvel

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Elizabeth Marvel, who is currently starring in THE DINOSAURS at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her unlikely beginnings, how Michael Langham gave her her Broadway debut in THE SEAGULL, performing the controversial revival of JULIUS CAESAR in the Park, why she wants to form a new National Actors Theater, being an American actor at Stratford, working with Glenda Jackson on KING LEAR, her collaboration with Ivo Van Hove, finding a new take on A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, researching THE LITTLE FOXES, starring in TOP GIRLS as a new mother, the drawings Edward Albee made during SEASCAPE, acting opposite Frances Sternhagen, why PICNIC was an exorcism for her, approaching Shakespeare like music theory, what draws her to new work, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Sean Allan Krill

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Sean Allan Krill, who is currently starring in CHESS. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including developing JAGGED LITTLE PILL from the ART to Broadway, the show’s two unexpected closings, the key to unlocking his role in CHESS, researching the role of Governor Slaton in PARADE, following Harry Connick, Jr. through a performance of ON A CLEAR DAY, his personal connection to FLOYD COLLINS, his difficult audition for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, performing “The Speed Test” with his midwestern accent, warming up with David Byrne during JOAN OF ARC, hy he loves the Viewpoints Technique, playing a silent role in THE HOT L BALTIMORE, covering Tony Danza in HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth talk with a Broadway favorite.

Julie Taymor

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning director Julie Taymor. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the visual motif of circles in THE LION KING, adapting the plot of the film, exploring artifice in THE TEMPEST on stage and on screen, working with Kathryn Hunter on A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, practicing mask work in auditions, how studying myths in college influenced her later work, her pioneering work on the film FRIDA, why Shakespeare’s dialogue is inherently visual, creating a new form of theater in Korea, finding ideographs for every production she directs, bringing THE HAGGADAH to life at the Public Theater, collaborating with Elliott Goldenthal, combining opera and musical theater in JUAN DARIEN, finding a visual take on M. BUTTERFLY, changing the ending of GROUNDED, her opera debut with OEDIPUS, honing her craft in Paris, Indonesia, and Japan, the modern relevance of SPIDER MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, her new musical THE GRAND DELUSION, and so much more. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with a true visionary.

Itamar Moses

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning playwright Itamar Moses. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including making changes to THE ALLY, the radio-play aspects of DEAD OUTLAW, his collaboration with David Cromer, why HAMILTON deserved its Best Book Tony award, adapting THE BAND’S VISIT for the stage, moving the show to Broadway, how “Omar Sharif” started as a monologue, getting his first play OUTRAGE produced, the inspiration behind BACH AT LEIPZIG, writing for murderers in CELEBRITY ROW, writing autobiographically with THE FOUR OF US and YELLOWJACKETS, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth talk with one of Broadway’s best writers.

2025 Wrap-Up Episode

Today, I’m thrilled to announce a very special 2025 wrap-up episode of Backstage Babble. 25 former guests, including legendary actors, writers, and directors, returned to the show to share three top theater memories from the last 25 years, and the result is a collection of never-before-heard anecdotes and thrilling insights. This episode features, in alphabetical order:

 

Betsy Aidem

Beowulf Boritt

Charles Busch

Rick Elice

Peter Filichia

Irene Gandy

Liza Gennaro

Jenny Gersten

Sara Gettelfinger

Adam Guettel

Robert Horn

Samuel D. Hunter

David Henry Hwang

Beth Leavel

Kenny Leon

Jefferson Mays

Ann Morrison

Maryann Plunkett

Daryl Roth

Tara Rubin

Paul Rudnick

Thom Sesma

Jennifer Ashley Tepper

David Thompson

Jonathan Tolins

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

In-person and livestream tickets to Backstage Babble Live are available here: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-3/

Rob Marshall

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Oscar-nominated stage and screen director Rob Marshall. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including rehearsing with Renee Zellweger for the film of CHICAGO, pitching his adaptation of the script to Miramax, putting his own stamp on DAMN YANKEES, teaching Blake Edwards about directing theater during VICTOR/VICTORIA, how Lenora Nemetz sparked his love of theater, giving notes to Chita Rivera during THE RINK, what he learned from Neil Simon, why he related to the story of NINE, how CATS led to his career as a choreographer, coming in on KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN out of town, his first day on the set of ANNIE, why THE PETRIFIED PRINCE didn’t ultimately succeed, collaborating with Sam Mendes on CABARET, choreographing for Alan Cumming, what inspired him to revive LITTLE ME, creating movement for BLITHE SPIRIT, why FOLLIES wouldn’t work as a movie musical, choreographing “A Romantic Atmosphere” in SHE LOVES ME, the fundamental structure of a movie musical vs. a stage musical, shaping the film of INTOT THE WOODS, working on MRS. SANTA CLAUS as his television debut, his upcoming project GUYS AND DOLLS, and so much more. Don’t miss this delightful conversation with a master of making musicals.

 

In-person and livestream tickets to Backstage Babble Live are available here: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-3/

Annie McGreevey

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Annie McGreevey. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her wonderful career, including a memorable note from Bob Fosse during SWEET CHARITY, standing by for Ethel Merman in CALL ME MADAM, the joy of working with John Kenley, singing for Hal Prince at her COMPANY audition, talking to Stephen Sondheim about “Another Hundred People,” making birthday cakes during ANNIE, why THE MAGIC SHOW was a workout, the surprising fate of THE MOONY SHAPIRO SONGBOOK, crying after A CHORUS LINE, recording demos for FOLLIES, headlining at the Fontainebleau, performing with Carol Burnett in FROM THE TOP!, her journey with dyslexia, learning how to wrestle for BELOW THE BELT, performing a solo piece in I STAND BEFORE YOU NAKED, how Joshua Logan kept her job in RIP VAN WINKLE, performing at the first Kennedy Center Honors, making a cameo in JUNO at Encores!, going on in SWEENEY TODD at the last minute, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth talk with one of Broadway’s best.

 

In-person and livestream tickets to Backstage Babble Live are available here: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-3/