Backstage Babble

Robert Viagas

Today, Backstage Babble is excited to welcome Robert Viagas, the editor of the newest theater magazine Encore Monthly. Created specifically as the premiere lifestyle magazine for theatre lovers nationwide, Encore Monthly will connect readers to the stage and to each other, with features covering what happens onstage and in the wings as well as all the places theatre fans come together - in the aisles at intermission; in living rooms and dorm rooms; and on laptops and cell phones across the country - and what fans enjoy when not sitting in their theatre seats. Robert also talks about the other aspects of his illustrious career, including an all-night phone call with Donna McKechnie, what went wrong with the musical Metro, the inside story of what it’s like to be a Tony Awards nominator, what makes a great Broadway star, disastrous interviews, and more stories about Jerry Orbach, Charlotte St. Martin, Baayork Lee, and others.

Hilary Knight

Today, I am honored to welcome legendary artist and illustrator Hilary Knight to the podcast. Tune in to hear about designing a costume for Elaine Stritch, why he had to fly to Rome for Kay Thompson, the children’s book series he didn’t enjoy working on, his three exotic influences, where the design for Eloise really came from, painting a mural for Tommy Hilfiger, Eloise’s real life room at the Plaza, plus stories about George Abbott, Irene Sharaff, Andy Warhol, and more.

FOLLIES 50th Anniversary Reunion

The legendary and groundbreaking musical FOLLIES is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Tonight. Catch the reunion only on Backstage Babble. Featuring: Ted Chapin (Production Assistant/Historian), Kurt Peterson (Young Ben), Marti Rolph (Young Sally), Susan L. Schulman (Press Agent), Mary Jane Houdina (Assistant to Michael Bennett, Young Hattie), and Michael Misita (Young Vincent).

 

Tune in to hear the great stories of the original production: which song was changed but the choreography remained the same? Who always missed "places"? What were the problems with the raked stage? How did the book EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE come to be? Who was originally supposed to be the star of FOLLIES?

 

You can find the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGVv540I9qI&t=4577s

Chita Rivera

What better way to celebrate Backstage Babble's 50th Episode than an in-depth conversation with Broadway icon Chita Rivera, who discussed creating her leading roles in such shows as West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, and more. The stories abound: why she thought "The Telephone Hour" would never work, how Jerome Robbins stopped a standing ovation, sitting on the floor with Judy Garland, why she ended up thanking Liza Minnelli every night, almost being killed by a panther during Merlin, the way Carol Channing opened oysters, the advice Gwen Verdon gave her, and stories about Bob Fosse, George Burns, Jerry Herman, Dorothy Loudon, Elaine Stritch, Tommy Tune, Fred Ebb, Antonio Banderas, and many more! Plus, she takes us behind the scenes of some of her 9 tony nominations, a number which makes her the most Tony-Nominated actress in history. 

James Dybas Part 2

Today, Backstage Babble is honored to sit down with Broadway actor James Dybas, star of Pacific Overtures and Do I Hear a Waltz? In this episode, hear about his friendship with Elaine Paige, why he got tripped up onstage by a guillotine, how Betty Grable insulted Ann Miller, how he ended up creating the iconic song “Someone in a Tree,” speaking Spanish with Rod Steiger, teasing Herbert Berghof, and his most treasured items (a book signed by Uta Hagen, and more.) Plus, stories about Hal Prince, Frank Wildhorn, and everyone in between!

James Dybas Part 1

Today, Backstage Babble is honored to sit down with Broadway actor James Dybas, star of Pacific Overtures and Do I Hear a Waltz? In this episode, hear about the fib he told to land Do I Hear a Waltz?, how he ended up fearing for his life on a hanging platform above the Uris Theater, what went wrong during his Victor/Victoria audition, why Sergio Franchi stopped him from eating garlic, why his role in George M! required sitting down to dinner with a dog, the time he streaked behind John Raitt during Camelot, what it was like being part of Jerome Robbins’ Theater Lab, plus stories about Joe Layton, Elizabeth Allen, Arthur Laurents, Pat Birch, and more.

Carolyn Kirsch

Today, my guest is Broadway dancer Carolyn Kirsch. Tune in to hear her talk about how Elaine Stritch gave her a hotel room, why she didn't like Hal Prince, why she wouldn't dance with Bob Fosse, Jerry Orbach's poker game, how she ended up playing two roles in A Chorus Line on the same night and more stories of Michael Bennett, Gwen Verdon, Katharine Hepburn, and just about every musical theater star you can imagine!

Catch Carolyn AND I on tonight's Backstage Babble trivia #2-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1HAwmke97E

Barry Kleinbort Part 2

Tune in today for Part 2 of Barry Kleinbort. Today, we focus on his career as a cabaret writer and director, in addition to his many upcoming projects. Hear him talk about why a tape was called a “Hamlisch,” how he avoided a potential trap when working with Len Cariou, what he discovered about Irving Berlin, why he ended up writing a song about Martin Charnin, why the Barry Sisters should be more remembered today, and other stories about Kaye Ballard, Tony Roberts, Jo Sullivan Loesser, Karen Mason, and everyone in between!

 

TRIVIA LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCxkBNFDslg

Barry Kleinbort Part 1

Today, I am joined by Ed Kleban Award Winner Barry Kleinbort. In Part 1 of our conversation, Barry discusses the many musicals he’s penned including 13 Things About Ed Carpolotti, Was, Angelina, The Rat Race, Metropolita(i)n, Second Avenue Rag, Big City Rhythm, and more. Hear him talk about what he learned from Harold Rome, how he decides a property should be musicalized, why you should never assume anyone knows who you are, why he made Frank Gilroy forget the ending of his own play, and why he ended up having two months to write a show to be performed in a barge on the Seine! Plus, more stories about Penny Fuller, Joseph Thalken, Barbara Harris, Tina Landau, and others! Also, throughout the episode you can enjoy never before released performances of Mr. Kleinbort’s songs by Danny Burstein, Howard McGillin, Roger Bart, Rita Gardner, and other great artists!

Brad Oscar

Today, I am delighted to announce my episode with one of Broadway’s best comedians, Brad Oscar. Tune in to hear him talk about running through the Lyceum with a lit pumpkin, why Mike Nichols made an example of him, crying on the closing of Big Fish, how he developed “A Musical,” and more stories about Mel Brooks, Trevor Nunn, Casey Nicholaw, and everyone in between!

Cass Morgan

Today, my guest is Broadway star Cass Morgan, writer and star of Pump Boys and Dinettes. Tune in to hear her talk about re-staging a show in a day, the dangers of doing Mary Poppins, how a cathartic trip to Ireland was the basis for her solo show, and more stories about Paul Simon, Debra Monk, Kelli O'Hara, and more. 

 

Also, hear her discuss what it was like being part of the original productions of Violet, Floyd Collins, Memphis, and more.

 

Thanks to logo designer and theme song orchestrator Tom Judson for setting up this interview.

Michael Lavine

Broadway's sheet music expert, Michael Lavine, is on the podcast today! Tune in to hear Michael talk about his friendships with Stephen Sondheim, Adolph Green, Hugh Martin, and more, as well as preparing Patrick Page for his Spiderman audition, helping Kristin Chenoweth prepare for Rosie O’Donnell, and what makes the perfect audition song. THEN, stick around to hear a 6-song concert which will include a song from Sondheim’s college shows, cut songs from Wildcat and She Loves Me, and more.

Bob Fitch Part 2

Today I am joined once again by Broadway's biggest raconteur Bob Fitch. Tune in to hear him talk about catching a pregnant Carol Burnett, how he wrote the plot of Annie, the role that was cut from 42nd Street, triumphing over David Merrick, defending Katharine Hepburn (from an angry truck driver), and more stories about Mike Nichols, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Don Ameche, and more!

Bob Fitch Part 1

Today’s guest Bob Fitch truly is the greatest showman. Tune in to hear him talk about mediating between Ray Bolger and Donald O’Connor, testifying in the suit between Jerry Lewis and Alex Cohen, Clive Revill’s pre-show routine, why Angela Lansbury would never look you in the eye, recording taps for Bob Fosse, why he turned down choreographing Lorelei, winning a tap contest against Pat Boone, and stories about Liza Minnelli, Noel Coward, Jose Ferrer, and more.

Susan L. Schulman Part 2

Today I am honored to be joined once again by veteran press agent Susan L. Schulman. Tune in to hear her talk about making Richard Dreyfuss jealous, saving an interview with Mary Martin, her suspicions about David Merrick, the workshop process of Angels in America, the odd role of press agents at the Tonys, and more. 

 

Buy her book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079DLQT9V/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Susan L. Schulman

Today I am honored to be joined by veteran press agent Susan L. Schulman. To hear her talk about the all-around genius of Bob Fosse, the bullying habits of John Dexter, how she became the only person Lauren Bacall would talk to during Applause, how she almost killed Ray Bolger, as well as her stories about everyone from Bette Davis to Zero Mostel, make sure to listen to this week's episode!

Mary Jane Houdina Part 2

Tune in to hear the 2nd part of my episode with Broadway dancer Mary Jane Houdina. Listen to the episode to hear her talk about jumping into a fountain during The Great Gatsby, why Peter Gennaro reduced an audience to tears every night, how she ended up going on as Annie during a rehearsal, unburdening Danny Gerard during Into the Light, the role that got away, and more.

Mary Jane Houdina Part 1

Today, I am joined by veteran Broadway dancer and choreographer Mary Jane Houdina, who has lent her talents to such shows as Annie, Follies, Moose Murders, Into the Light, Rachael Lily Rosenbloom, The Fig Leaves are Falling, Georgy, and more. Tune in to hear her tell the wonderful stories of her amazing career, including prompting John McMartin every night, refusing to do a certain dance in Rockabye Hamlet, why she loved Moose Murders, NOT auditioning for Jack Cole, dubbing tap in Follies, and more.

Ed Asner

What better way to start the New Year than an interview with a true star, a true legend--Ed Asner. Tune in to hear him talk about who he based Lou Grant on,  why singing was not a challenge for him, why New York critics were biased against him, why he was "born to play" his part in The Soap Myth, and more about Mary Tyler Moore, Lotte Lenya, and Eileen Brennan.

Lee Wilkof

Our guest today is veteran actor Lee Wilkof, of Little Shop of Horrors, Assassins, Sweet Charity, She Loves Me, Holiday Inn, Kiss Me, Kate, and more. Tune in to hear him talk about the compliment that meant the most to him, taking on the chat boards (about Breakfast at Tiffany's), why he should've turned down Holiday Inn, why Michael Blakemore is a great director, the intense Little Shop rehearsal process, and working with Steve Martin, Nathan Lane, Stephen Sondheim, Sara Bareilles, Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie, and more.