Backstage Babble

Judith Ivey

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with two-time Tony winner Judith Ivey. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including singing A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC for Stephen Sondheim, how Carol Woods gave her dinner eight times a week during FOLLIES, how her performance in STEAMING led to three feature film roles, finding the comedy in THE HEIRESS, meeting Neil Simon at the Tony Awards, performing BLITHE SPIRIT after Geraldine Page passed away, a memorable night out with Mike Nichols while working on HURLYBURLY, being directed by Zoe Caldwell in PARK YOUR CAR IN HARVARD YARD, acting opposite Jason Robards, acting with the audience in THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, listening to Margaret Thatcher while performing in THE AUDIENCE, being directed by Edward Albee in THE AMERICAN DREAM, making the audience gasp during VOICES IN THE DARK, the difficulty of performing in GREATER CLEMENTS, developing a one-woman musical with George Furth, how Peter Hall chose her for BEDROOM FARCE, laughing with Eileen Heckart during THE FIVE MRS. BUCHANANS, bringing VANITIES off-Broadway, finding her own take on the leading role in PIAF, and so much more. Don’t miss this honest conversation with one of Broadway’s greatest stars.

Craig Bierko

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Tony nominee Craig Bierko. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including what he learned from Meredith Willson’s notes in the script of THE MUSIC MAN, dancing with Rebecca Luker, the “stop-start” feeling of THOU SHALT NOT, how James Lapine approached directing MODERN ORTHODOX, the Jewishness that is needed in GUYS AND DOLLS, why he didn’t connect to the character of Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA, what it was like performing GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY just after the pandemic, why STANDING ON CEREMONY didn’t work in New York, his efforts to revive LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE, talking to Patti LuPone backstage during COMPANY, a meaningful moment with Stephen Sondheim, playing opposite Len Cariou in HARRY TOWNSEND’S LAST STAND, and so much more. Don’t miss this honest conversation with one of Broadway’s greatest stars.

Jenny Gersten

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with producer Jenny Gersten, who was recently named the new VP and Artistic Director of Musical Theater at City Center. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how Anne Kauffman and Lear DeBessonet brought her on board at City Center, the true mission of the Encores! series, what she looks for in a potential revival, the challenges of massively reworking a show, her experience running the Williamstown Theater Festival after the pandemic, how changing venues affected the experience of the Festival, how she ended up having the same job as her father at the Public Theater, how transferring a show to Broadway has changed since A CHORUS LINE, how the revival of HAIR transferred to Broadway, developing the marketing strategy for BEETLEJUICE, how they made the off-Broadway revival of SWEENEY TODD financially viable, finding the audience for JUST FOR US using digital marketing, designing the Perelman Arts Center, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s most important creative minds.

Michael Park

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway favorite Michael Park, who is currently starring in REDWOOD on Broadway through May 18. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he almost quit the business before REDWOOD, the joys of performing with Idina Menzel, memorable stage door experiences at DEAR EVAN HANSEN, his extended audition process for HELLO, AGAIN, what he learned from Jerry Zaks on SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, balancing his role on AS THE WORLD TURNS with Broadway, teaching young actors during the pandemic, how he almost inspired a new Neil Simon play during LITTLE ME, working with stars on HOW TO SUCCEED and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, turning down JAGGED LITTLE PILL and HEAD OVER HEELS, how Rob Ashford was pivotal in his career, why he writes backstories for every role he plays, directing TUCK EVERLASTING at Shenandoah University, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a theater veteran.

Raul Esparza

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with 4-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he got into character for TICK, TICK…BOOM!, finding his take on the Emcee in CABARET, how Stephen Sondheim rewrote “Being Alive” for him, his experience of being outed while starring in COMPANY, the joys of starring in OLIVER, how his wife convinced him to audition for THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, the difficulty of working with Jeremy Piven on SPEED-THE-PLOW, leaning into film tropes for ROAD SHOW, why he struggled with his role in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, John Doyle’s repetition technique, partying with Boy George to prepare for TABOO, why LEAP OF FAITH didn’t have more success on Broadway, his recent role in GALILEO, the lasting power of THE NORMAL HEART, the specificity of Tom Stoppard, his favorite audience reactions during THE HOMECOMING, how LAW AND ORDER gave him a reprieve from stage work, the surprising similarities between ARCADIA and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a true Broadway legend.

Judy Kuhn

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with 4-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn, who is currently appearing in BECOMING EVE at the Abrons Arts Center. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary carer, finding the physicality of her character in FUN HOME, singing on the Tonys with RAGS and LES MISERABLES in the same year, how that performance led to her role in CHESS, working with Trevor Nunn on FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, why her role in ASSASSINS scared her, being voted the killer in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, acting with Glenn Close in SUNSET BOULEVARD, interpreting the role of Fosca in PASSION, auditioning opposite Boyd Gaines for SHE LOVES ME, and so much more. Don’t miss this conversation with a Broadway favorite.

Jonathan Groff

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Tony winner Jonathan Groff, who is currently starring as Bobby Darin in JUST IN TIME. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary carer, including why he never felt ownership over the role of King George in HAMILTON, what he learned from his experiences with fans during SPRING AWAKENING, why MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is a love story, why he turned down the role of Finn on GLEE and HAIR on Broadway, his lack of formal training as a singer, working with Olympia Dukakis on THE SINGING FOREST, why he chose THE SOUND OF MUSIC tour over going to college, the serendipity of starring in A NEW BRAIN at Encores!, how Gavin Creel inspired him to publicly come out, what he learned from getting bad reviews for THE BACCHAE, working with Larry Kramer on the film of THE NORMAL HEART, JUST IN TIME’s journey from the 92nd Street Y to Broadway, and so much more. Don’t miss this honest conversation with a true Broadway star.

Daniel Davis

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Tony nominee Daniel Davis. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary carer, including his fateful audition for COCO, bringing Katharine Hepburn to dinner with his parents, the disagreement he had with Ian McKellen about AMADEUS, what he admired about Gavin Creel in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, competing with Roddy McDowall for the role of Niles in THE NANNY, taking inspiration from Eric Blore and Arthur Treacher, acting with Eva Le Gallienne in ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, his unexpected Tony nomination for WRONG MOUNTAIN, the gift he got from Tom Stoppard during THE INVENTION F LOVOE, the difficulty of doing NOISES OFF at the American Airlines Theater, how Nathan Lane thought of him for THE FROGS, a full-circle moment appearing on ELSBETH, the challenge of playing Iago in OTHELLO, how he almost replaced Len Cariou in SWEENEY TODD, and so much more. Don’t miss this honest conversation with a true veteran of the American stage.

Miriam Silverman

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Tony winning actress Miriam Silverman, who is currently starring in DEEP BLUE SOUND at the Public Theater. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her long journey with THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW, how her birth appeared on national television, choosing between JUNK and MARY JANE, meeting her husband on AWAKE AND SING, balancing being a mother and being an actress, her long collaboration with Anne Kauffmann, developing CULT OF LOVE, her work as a teacher, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this open conversation with one of Broadway’s best performers.

Isabel Keating

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Tony nominated actress Isabel Keating, who will be performing in my upcoming concert of the Katharine Hepburn musical COCO at 54 Below. You can find in-person and livestream tickets to that event at this link:

https://54below.org/events/54-sings-coco-by-alan-jay-lerner-and-andre-previn/

Tune in to hear some of the stories of Isabel’s legendary career, including what her research process was like playing Judy Garland in THE BOY FROM OZ, going on at the last minute in IT’S ONLY A PLAY, how she ended up taking over for Tyne Daly in last season’s revival of DOUBT, a full-circle moment with John Patrick Shanley, why Madame Morrible in WICKED is misunderstood, how her time in Europe influenced her theater career, making her Carnegie Hall debut with FOLLIES, the experience of processing her personal grief while starring in SPIDERMAN on Broadway, the many changes that were made to that musical, her experiences with the real-life QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this open conversation with one of Broadway’s best leading ladies.

Bob Martin

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Tony winning librettist and performer Bob Martin, who is the author of two of this season’s newest hits—SMASH and BOOP—both of which started previews on Broadway this week. Tune in to hear about the writing processes of those two musicals, and some of the other stories of his legendary career, including why he was sore every night after performing THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the character he almost played in THE PROM, writing for the film adaptation of that musical, why he loves writing for Beth Leavel, the challenges of working on MINSKY’S, changing ELF between its three Broadway runs, what he learned from Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan, revisiting unsuccessful musicals in HEY, LOOK ME OVER, how supply chain issues have affected Broadway, developing THE STING with Harry Connick, Jr., working with Kevin Kline on AMERICAN CLASSIC, his idea for a sequel to THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, revising KISS ME, KATE in London, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this honest and fun conversation with one of Broadway’s funniest and most prolific writers.

Samuel D. Hunter

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Samuel D. Hunter, whose play GRANGEVILLE is currently playing at the Signature Theater with Paul Sparks and Brian J. Smith. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how his experiences teaching expository writing led to THE WHALE, working with Darren Aronofsky on adapting the play into a film, the pushback he received for writing about conversion therapy in A GREAT WILDERNESS, dealing with pathology onstage, how GREATER CLEMENTS was his take on a Trump play, premiering LEWISTON/CLARKSTON as separate plays, writing for TV with BASKETS, his religious upbringing, the mentors who influenced his work, reviving A BRIGHT NEW BOISE in 2023, the economic realities of writing for the theater, how he decided to rewrite THE FEW, developing THE HEALING for a cast of disabled actors, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of American theater’s best writers.

Lane Bradbury

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Lane Bradbury, who played the role of Dainty June in the original Broadway cast of GYPSY. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including why Ethel Merman wasn’t a good co-star, joining the Actor’s Studio, method acting with Elia Kazan for J.B., why Bette Davis was suspicious of her during THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, watching Patrick O’Neill and Bette Davis in rehearsal, the moment in GYPSY that caused a rift between her and Jerome Robbins, Lee Strasberg’s favorite acting exercises, why she didn’t audition for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, working with June Havoc herself on MARATHON ’33, how an audition for GREENWILLOW led her to move to California, putting together her cabaret act, why Audra McDonald is Broadway’s best Mama Rose, why she doesn’t own the OBC of GYPSY, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this episode with a true theater veteran.

Scott Wittman

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Scott Wittman, who is the lyricist of Broadway’s newest sensation SMASH. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his amazing career, including why CATCH ME IF YOU CAN appealed to him as a follow-up to HAIRSPRAY, putting together MATTERS OF THE HEART with Patti LuPone, why CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY was at its best in workshops, his experiences with Dame Edna and Elaine Stritch, watching Disney animators at work during MARY POPPINS RETURNS, being influenced by John Waters, how Matthew Lopez convinced him to adapt SOME LIKE IT HOT, the upcoming project he’s working on with Bridget Everett, why John Slattery and Talia Balsam were perfect for THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this chat with one of Broadway’s best writers.

Norbert Leo Butz

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway legend Norbert Leo Butz, whose solo show Girls, Girls, Girls will be playing at 54 Below from March 9-13. The ticket link is here: https://54below.org/events/norbert-leo-butz-girls-girls-girls/ Tune in to hear some of the stories of his amazing career, including his advice for actors playing Fiyero in WICKED, why audiences misunderstand Jamie in THE LAST FIVE YEARS, jumping into SPEED-THE-PLOW with only a few days’ notice, why ENRON didn’t work for American audiences, how he infused his father into CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, how Jack O’Brien grounded the humor in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, acting in CORNELIA STREET just after the pandemic, how BIG FISH helped him with losses in his own life, the challenge of playing the Emcee in CABARET, how he first met Jason Robert Brown, the gift of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, his audition process for THOU SHALT NOT, how Ska music influenced “Dancing Through Life,” the lessons he learned from his Broadway debut in RENT, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best actors.

Dan Elish

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by novelist and librettist Dan Elish, author of the wonderful new book King of Broadway. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his wonderful career, including how a letter to Stephen Sondheim led to his most recent book, turning THE WORLDWIDE DESSERT CONTEST into a musical, how he started working with Jason Robert Brown, changes that were made to 13, the difference between writing novels and writing musicals, writing for the screen with WONDER PETS, how HARRY POTTER changed the market for children’s books, his experience at the BMI workshop, writing THE EVOLUTION OF MANN with Douglas J. Cohen, the musical he’s working on with Scott Frankel, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this episode with a literary mastermind!

Luba Mason

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Broadway star Luba Mason, who will be appearing in Backstage Babble: Beyond the Walls of Joe Allen Restaurant on Wednesday, February 19th at 7 PM at 54 Below. You can find in-person and livestream tickets here: https://54below.org/events/backstage-babble-joe-allen/ And tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including finding her take on the role of Hedy LaRue in HOW TO SUCCEED, the beauty of THE CAPEMAN, the experience of reviving the show at the Delacorte Theater, her circuitous path to starring in JEKYLL AND HYDE, the challenges of working on SID CAESAR AND COMPANY, co-starring with Brooke Shields in CHICAGO, performing in the West Coast tryout of SUNSET BOULEVARD, why PRETTY FILTHY didn’t transfer to Broadway, how she got involved with the American Dance Machine at NYU, dancing for Agnes De Mille, why she loves working with Michael John LaChiusa, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with a true Broadway veteran.

Jill Eikenberry

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Emmy nominee Jill Eikenberry, who will be appearing with me in Backstage Babble: Beyond the Walls of Joe Allen Restaurant on Wednesday, February 19th at 7 PM at 54 Below. You can find in-person and livestream tickets here: https://54below.org/events/backstage-babble-joe-allen/ And tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how Tennessee Williams helped her with her performance in THE ECCENTRICITIES OF A NIGHTINGALE, being bullied during her Broadway debut in MOONCHILDREN, how Dustin Hoffman directed ALL OVER TOWN, what she learned from Robert Burstein and Paul Sills at Yale, sharing a trailer with Liza Minelli during ARTHUR, the compliment she got from Lillian Hellman during WATCH ON THE RHINE, how she opened up her performance in ONWARD VICTORIA, embracing the power of Ann Kelsey on L.A. LAW, narrating TWYLA THARP DANCE while pregnant, acting in plays written by her husband, Michael Tucker, the intimacy of working with Wendy Wasserstein on UNCOMMON WOMAN, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of stage and screen’s greatest stars.

Kelly Bishop

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Kelly Bishop, whose memoir The Third Gilmore Girl is now out from Gallery Books. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how A CHORUS LINE changed the trajectory of musical theater, how she ended up taking over for Stockard Channing in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, how dying her hair led to her Broadway debut in GOLDEN RAINBOW, why she didn’t prepare a Tonys acceptance speech, the miscasting that took place in ON THE TOWN, why PROPOSALS was a disappointing experience, breaking the fire code at the Public Theater, getting put into THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, standing up to the creative team during RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM…, why she loved her role in BECKY SHAW, going on the road with IRENE, and more. You won’t want to miss this interview with one of stage and screen’s best actresses.

Winnie Holzman

“Good news!” Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Winnie Holzman, the author of the libretto and screenplay for the musical WICKED. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including what she learned from Betty Comden and Arthur Laurents while studying at NYU, how she came to star in the first production of Christopher Durang’s BETTE AND BOO, ideas that came from the stage production of WICKED, learning from the reviews of BIRDS OF PARADISE, her journey to studying at Princeton, what inspired her to adapt THE SEAGULL, why Jon M. Chu was the perfect director for WICKED, one idea that got cut from the musical and the movie, how conversations around the movie changed through the years, the dimensions that Joe Mantello added to the musical, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this conversation with a brilliant writer in all mediums!