Backstage Babble

Today, I am so thrilled to announce my episode with Douglas Lyons, who is currently starring in Parade at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre. Tune in to hear some of the other stories of his great career, including the experience of opening a Broadway play right after the Covid-19 pandemic, writing a musical about Five Points, the play of his that never got off the ground, the genius of Beautiful, why The Book of Mormon should be valued as a work of genius, writing for TV with Fraggle Rock, how an interview with Phylicia Rashad inspired his off-Broadway musical Polkadots, going on the road with Rent, and so much more.

On April 16, The Phantom of the Opera will take its final Broadway bow. And today, I am so honored to be joined by Ben Crawford, the last man to wear the iconic mask before the show closes. Tune in today to hear Ben talk about funniest audience reactions, onstage mishaps, the physical challenges of singing through a mask, the unique feedback he got from Hal Prince, and his long audition process for the role. There are also stories about the rest of Ben’s great career, including the genius of Scott Ellis, the musical he’d like to be in next (hint: it involves a Founding Father), a disastrous audition story, the absurd comedy of Irma La Douce, life on the road in Guys and Dolls, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this delightful conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

Today, I am so excited to announce the release of my episode with Tony-winner BD Wong. BD is currently the director of Yes, I Can Say That! at 59e59 Theaters, the hilarious new solo show starring Judy Gold about the intersection between comedy and cancel culture. You can find tickets to that here:

https://www.59e59.org/shows/show-detail/yes-i-can-say-that/

Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including why M. Butterfly was so successful, the abuse he suffered at the hands of John Dexter, coming in to Face Value for its New York run, being the first male Peter Pan, contrasting TV experiences with Awkwafina and Margaret Cho, the simplicity that You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, collaborating with Stephen Sondheim, his newfound interest in directing, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this inspiring, honest interview with one of the best actor/directors in the business.   

Today, I am so thrilled to announce my episode with Tony-winning librettist Robert Horn, currently the author of Broadway’s funniest hit Shucked and the Disney adaptation Hercules, now playing at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Tune in today for a deep dive into the history of Shucked, plus stories about a surprise phone call from Bette Midler, comiing in on the musical 13 out of town, the challenges of adapting Tootsie during the #MeToo movement, taking over the TV series Designing Women, three favorite pilots of his that didn’t get picked up, how he almost adapted Funny Girl, being mentored by Thomas Schumacher and Bob Boyett, his many new projects, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this masterclass from one of Broadway’s funniest people!

Today, I am so excited to announce my episode with one of Broadway’s most influential figures, 38-time Tony nominated producer Daryl Roth. Currently, Daryl is producing Life of Pi on Broadway, which begins performances on March 9. Tune in today to hear some of the stores of her long career, including the play she produced that ended up being performed in medical schools, why raising money is her least favorite part of producing, how she converted a bank into a theater, why she chose not to take Edward Albee’s The Goat out of town, the process of reuniting the original cast of How I Learned to Drive, why London is a good breeding ground for Broadway transfers, opening theater up post-pandemic with Blindness, the famous actress who insisted on being barefoot on stage, and so much more.

Today, I am so happy to announce my episode with  artistic director of San Diego’s Old Globe  Theater, Barry Edelstein. Barry is the director of Roundabout’s hit production of The Wanderers, a funny, dramatic, and extremely timely play that’s a must-see for New York audiences. You can find tickets here:

The Wanderers

Tune in to hear some of the stories of his prestigious career, including what he learned from Joseph Papp, how he met Steve Martin, putting on a Philip Glass piece at Classic Stage Company, recommending Shylock to Al Pacino, why we’re in a golden age of American playwriting, the play that Oskar Eustis recommended to him, his experience with moving to the West Coast, upholding the literary standards of the Old Globe, and so much more.

Today, I am so honored to announce my episode with 8-time Tony nominee Jane Alexander. Tune in to hear some of the stories of Jane’s legendary career, including the bad audience reactions she received in THE GREAT WHITE HOPE, how Henry Fonda would break the fourth wall, trying to get Elizabeth Taylor to a set on time, how she launched Tommy Lee Jones’ career, the changes made to THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, the part she felt she wasn’t right for, why she never performed at the Williamstown Theater Festival, why she decided to come back to Broadway with GRAND HORIZONS, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this in-depth conversation with one of the greatest performers to grace the American stage.

I am so thrilled to announce the release of my interview  with composer Gary William Friedman.  On January 30, Gary will be presenting a concert version of an update of his show Platinum, entitled Platinum Dreams at 54 Below. You can find tickets for that event (a can’t-miss for theater fans) here:

Platinum Dreams

And in the mean time, tune in today to hear some of the fantastic stories of his life and career, including the legendary singer who insisted on auditioning for his musical Taking My Turn, the fairytale origins of The Me Nobody Knows, the differences between Tommy Tune and Joe Layton, watching Jan Peerce fall from the orchestra pit, working with his wife Stevie Holland on Love, Linda, and many more.

Today, I am so happy to announce my interview with Steven Skybell, most recently the star of the enormously popular Fiddler Afn Dakh at New World Stages. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his great career, including what he learned from Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst, why Tevye is similar to Shakespearean roles, Bartlett Sher’s unique approach to the character of Lazar Wolf, working with Joseph Papp on Cafe Crown, how his role in the film The Cradle Will Rock got expanded, why Joel Grey’s acting experience makes him a great director, working with Julie Taymor, the show he turned down, and so much more.

I can’t think of a better way to ring in 2023 than by presenting my interview with the luminous Melissa Errico. Tune in today to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the controversial ending that her production of My Fair Lady almost had, a funny mishap during Anna Karenina, the advantages of dressing the part for an audition, how being a mother added to her interpretation of Sharon McLonergan, how seeing On Your Toes affected her as a young person, the show she’d like to revisit, learning poshness to star in High Society, and why she loves the part of Kate in Kiss Me, Kate. This interview is a true masterclass in stardom and the actor’s process.