Backstage Babble

Lee Roy Reams is back (and better than ever!) On this episode, we cover everything from Hello, Dolly to his Producers audition song (think Mama Rose in Germany), to Ann Miller not knowing any Jewish Holidays, to some very important life lessons about being honest and not letting negativity ruin your life.

Today I am joined by one of the first guests I knew I could not do this podcast without, Lee Roy Reams. He regales us with many funny and scandalous stories of the Golden Age of Broadway, from Bob Fosse to Mel Brooks! On Broadway, Lee Roy Reams has appeared in Sweet Charity, Oklahoma, Applause, 42nd Street, The Producers, Beauty and the Beast, Lorelei, and more. He has also directed Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, and played Dolly himself only a few years ago. He has also appeared in La Cage Aux Folles around the country and many times on screen, including in the film of Sweet Charity. 

Today I am joined by Broadway legend Anita Gillette. Anita Gillette is a Tony-nominated Broadway veteran who has appeared in All American, Jimmy, Cabaret, Kelly, Chapter Two, Don’t Drink the Water, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Carnival, and more. She made a big splash with the song “The Secret Service” in Mr. President, and was awarded a Theater World for Russell Patterson’s Sketchbook. Her equally long and lauded movie career has spanned such illustrious projects as 30 Rock, Moonstruck, and Quincy, M.E. I hope everyone enjoys this episode! I know I did!

Today I am honored to be sitting down with Broadway veteran Chuck Cooper! He talks about how "The Life" changed his, why six people had to be strangled on the stage of the Broadhurst Theater, the genius of Tony Kushner, as well as stories about Yoko Ono, James Lapine, and more. I hope you enjoy this interview!

Part 2 of my interview with the wonderful Penny Fuller!

Today is PART 1 of my interview with theater legend Penny Fuller. Penny Fuller has starred in Applause, Rex, Barefoot in the Park, Cabaret, Dividing the Estate, A New Brain, and most recently Anastasia. She did her acclaimed solo turn in 13 Things About Ed Carpolotti. She is also an Emmy Winer for her performance in The Elephant Man, and recently has been performing in Sunday in the Park With George and in cabarets across the country alongside Anita Gillette in the show Sin Twisters. I hope you enjoy hearing about the first half of Ms. Fuller’s life in the theater. And I hope that it leaves you wanting more!

Today I could not be more honored to say "Ugg-A-Wugg" to the original Tiger Lily, Sondra Lee. This episode was a pure joy from start to finish. Ms. Lee is so warm and gracious that I hope you will all join me in wishing her a Happy Birthday today, September 30th! And as a birthday present her and yourself, listen to this episode.

It's the second half of my interview with Charles Busch! Listen to hear about his career from Flipping My Wig all the way up to his amazing virtual readings.

This is Part 1 of my exhaustive interview with drag legend, actor, performer, and playwright Charles Busch. He is the author of Tale of the Allergists’ Wife, Times Square Angel. Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Red Scare on Sunset, and most recently, The Confession of Lily Dare. He is also the author of the book to Boy George’s Taboo, as well as the writer of the novel Whores of Lost Atlantis. He is a Tony Award Nominee and 2 time Mac Award Winner for his cabarets that he performs around the country with Tom Judson. This episode was an honor for me to record, and I hope that you'll enjoy the inside scoop on the first half of his career.

One of my theatrical idols, Gerard Alessandrini, is here with us today to discuss his long career in the theater. Gerard is the mastermind behind all of the editions of Forbidden Broadway. He has also contributed to the musical Diamonds, the TV special Men, Movies, and Carol, and revised the book for a revival of Irving Berlin’s Mr. President. The interview is almost as fun as Forbidden Broadway itself, so I hope you enjoy!