Backstage Babble

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.

Today, I am honored to be joined by Richard Seff, actor, agent, director, writer, critic, and interviewer. 

Tune in to hear him talk about his involvements with the original productions of My Fair Lady, the movie of Cabaret, why he got paid for Hello, Dolly, standing in the back of the house with Donald Trump, why Brooks Atkinson's departure hurt his show, how his acting career has formed his perspective as a critic, why Elaine Stritch was a difficult client, and more!

Today my guest is none other than legendary bookwriter John Weidman, author of Pacific Overtures, Road Show, Assassins, Contact, Big, and more! 

Tune in to hear him talk about how Pacific Overtures was originally a play, delineating Road Show with Oskar Eustis, getting Susan Stroman to choreograph a different type of dance, why there are no kids shows, the many forms of Assassins, and more!

What better way to celebrate Backstage Babble's 30th episode than with a legendary dancer from Broadway's Golden Age, Eileen Casey? Tune in to hear her talk about why Cab Calloway was "just terrible," the brilliance of Gower Champion, not caring for Ron Field's choreography, why someone had to be fired from Promises, Promises, the out-of-town Seesaw, why Marilyn didn't work, and more!

Today, I am honored to be able to present my interview with the legendary Tom Jones, author of The Fantasticks, 110 In The Shade, I Do, I Do, Philemon, Celebration, and more!

Listen to hear about a David Merrick joke, Mary Martin's last project, Diana Rigg's "vulnerability," his ideas for theater today to make it less costly and more true to form, an unlikely basis for a musical (A book of Mesopotamian rituals!) and more.

Today, Michael Rupert is back! He talks about his experiences starring in City of Angels, Ragtime, Elegies, On The Town, Legally Blonde, and more! Here about trading replacements with John Rubinstein, developing "I Understand," his directing career, how William Finn changed, and more.

Backstage Babble is BACK this week, this time featuring an interview with the extremely talented Michael Rupert. Hear him talk about cut Sondheim songs, how to audition for William Finn, and Gwen Verdon as Bob Fosse's memory aide. Michael Rupert has had a truly legendary career in the theater, and I am honored that he shared it with me today.

Today I am joined once again by The Crown Prince of Cabaret, Steve Ross! I hope you enjoy this conclusion to our interview.

Today I am joined by the "crown prince of New York cabaret," the one and only Steve Ross. Tune in to hear him talk about performing in Present Laughter on Broadway, reopening the Algonquin hotel, trying to impress Ethel Merman, and more!

Today I sit down with the many employees of the piano bar Marie's Crisis! Hear them talk about memorable nights, how they've adapted to virtual entertainment, and what is the future for them to come back in person.

Featuring: Alex Barylski, Dan Daly, Kenney M. Green, Maddie McClouskey, James Merillat, and Drew Wutke