Backstage Babble

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Stephen Lang. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his memorable audition for DEATH OF A SALESMAN, a harrowing experience onstage during THE SPEED OF DARKNESS, improvising during rehearsals for A FEW GOOD MEN, how he became the youngest honorary member of the D’Oyly Carte Theater Company, why Lynn Redgrave was perfect for SAINT JOAN, working with Arthur Miller on his final play FINISHING THE PICTURE, the challenges of performing with Quentin Tarantino in WAIT UNTIL DARK, why Len Cariou was a perfect co-star for him, how he chose to play the title role in HAMLET on Broadway, what Gerald Schoenfeld taught him about the Tonys, the genesis of his solo show BEYOND GLORY, how that play led to his role in AVATAR, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a star of stage and screen.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Oscar nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her unconventional path to WEST SIDE STORY, how THE HUMAN COMEDY fulfilled a childhood dream, what Brian De Palma taught her during SCARFACE, the thrill of singing SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, how AMADEUS inspired her to take acting lessons, why Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA is a thankless role, dancing for Jerome Robbins, how THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO changed courses in rehearsal, why THE KNIFE was ahead of its time, her relationship with Joseph Papp, how she almost starred in KISS ME, KATE, the extended rehearsal process for THE COLOR OF MONEY, how theater is different in London, balancing jet lag with LAW AND ORDER, how Roger Rees led the company of THE WINSLOW BOY, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a star of stage and screen.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winning actor and director John Benjamin Hickey. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how Terrence McNally took a chance on him for LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, the joys of playing opposite Natasha Richardson in CABARET, singing for Stephen Sondheim, reimagining THE CRUCIBLE in the 9/11 era, how coming out helped him find ideal collaborators, how Julie White and Theresa Rebeck made him become a director, why he wanted to revive PLAZA SUITE, why his role in MARY STUART was especially challenging, how Neil Simon’s politics have been misunderstood, revisiting THE NORMAL HEART with Larry Kramer, why the revival of SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION didn’t take off, the profound effect that THE INHERITANCE had on audiences, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a true Broadway favorite.

Today, I’m so excited to announce the 250th episode of Backstage Babble. The mission of the podcast has always been to document Broadway history, and I’m thrilled to welcome a man who has had a profound influence on Broadway history over several eras in his work as a dancer and a choreographer: Wayne Cilento. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his reflections on the 50th anniversary of A CHORUS LINE, how Michael Bennett kept the show on track, discussing BIG DEAL with Bob Fosse, reinventing DANCIN’ for 2023 audiences, creating a movement style for WICKED, collaborating with Des McAnuff on TOMMY and HOW TO SUCCEED, how an Elvis Presley postcard inspired “Pinball Wizard,” how THE ACT led him to become a choreographer, how choreographing commercials helped him hone his skills as a director, the challenges of reviving SWEET CHARITY, making his Broadway debut with BABY, working with Heather Headley on AIDA, coming in on DREAM at the last minute, lending his talents to HIGH SOCIETY and THE MAGIC SHOW, why he turned down SUMMER, choreographing Chita Rivera in JERRY’S GIRLS, choreographing acts for everyone from Carol Channing to Alicia Keys, exploring new forms of dance for HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, backstage shenanigans at SEESAW, his memories of RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM…, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a seven-time Tony nominee and true Broadway veteran.

Wildcat Tickets: https://54below.org/events/54-sings-wildcat/

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway poster artist Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo, whose new murder mystery Scenery of the Crime is available anywhere books are sold. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how the movie of THE LION KING inspired his logo design, showing Angela Lansbury the SWEENEY TODD logo, his career renaissance as a mystery writer, his early work on OVER HERE and GYPSY, designing two logos for WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?, Stephen Sondheim’s note on his logo for GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, why he focuses on the font of the title of a show, his favorite poster that never made it, presenting his A DOLL’S LIFE designs to Hal Prince, the two Susan Schulman’s who brought his book to fruition, paying tribute to Saul Bass with his PRYMATE design, coming up with different takes on MORNING’S AT SEVEN, venturing into advertising with IMAGINARY FRIENDS, his thoughts on AI art, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a true visionary.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway veteran Ann Morrison, who is about to take over the lead role on the tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how Stephen Sondheim wrote “Now You Know” for her, her favorite revival of MERILY WE ROLL ALONG, modeling Mary Flynn after Mary Rodgers, how Hal Prince cast her in LOVEMUSIK, her international audition process for PEG, telling Mabel Normand’s story in KEYSTONE, running a theater company with her ex-husband, what she brought to the role of King Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, working with Jessica Stone to find her take on Kimberly Levaco, and so much more. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of Broadway’s most unique talents.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Adam Grupper, who is currently starring in Joy at the Laura Pels Theater. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including working with Stephen Sondheim on INTO THE WOODS, turning down KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, a memorable mishap during CITY OF ANGELS, a tip from Robert Westenberg about THE SECRET GARDEN, the joy of reading audiobooks, getting group notes during GUYS AND DOLLS, how NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY launched his career, the stories Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson told him during DOWN THE GARDEN PATH, the idea of masks in THE WILD PARTY, performing Neil Simon’s work in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and 45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY, learning opera singing for LA BOHEME, having his son reprise his role in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a water pipe issue during PICTURES FROM HOME, performing MY FAIR LADY in front of Mike Pence, delivering a John Weidman monologue in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, and so much more. Plus, a special treat: a recording of Adam singing “When Your Lover Says Goodbye” from the Alan Jay Lerner musical Coco at 54 Below last month. Don’t miss this comprehensive conversation with a true Broadway veteran.

In-person and livestream tickets for Backstage Babble Live: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-4/ 35% off today only with code BABBLE35.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with playwright and screenwriter Jonathan Tolins. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the joke he couldn’t include in the Tony awards, how Barbra Streisand reacted to BUYER AND CELLAR, working with Broadway favorites on ELSBETH, revising the book for ON THE TOWN, the ill-fated TRUMP FOLLIES, the responsibility of writing for QUEER AS FOLK, THE TWILIGHT OF THE GOLDS’s journey to Broadway, why he changed the ending for the film adaptation, his relationship with Bette Midler, taking on a hot-button issue in IF MEMORY SERVES, writing MAJOR DOMO and THE PETRIES as sitcom pilots for Michael Urie, developing TAKE THE LEAD, the potential third season of SCHMIGADOON, and so much more. Don’t miss this hilarious and candid conversation with one of Broadway and television’s best writers.

In-person and livestream tickets for Backstage Babble Live: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-4/

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway veteran Sally Murphy, who will recreate her role as Julie Jordan in Carousel my next Backstage Babble Live! concert on Monday, July 7 at 7 PM. In-person and livestream tickets are available here:

https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-4/

Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including observing the audience reaction at AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, a fateful audition for ASSASSINS, how Nicholas Hytner guided her during CAROUSEL, performing without speaking in THE WILD PARTY, keeping up THE MINUTES during the pandemic, working with Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock on FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, backstage games during A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, her upcoming role in AMADEUS, the challenges of starring in LINDA VISTA, being mentored by Lois Smith during THE GRAPES OF WRATH and beyond, telling a true story in BRUTAL IMAGINATION, and so much more. Don’t miss this expansive conversation with one of Broadway’s best actresses.

This is a bittersweet day on Backstage Babble. I am proud to present my interview, recorded in January 2025, with legendary Broadway dancer and choreographer Edie Cowan. Ms. Cowan passed away on May 22, 2025 at the age of 88. It is a very sad loss for theater lovers everywhere, and I hope this interview will give you a sense of her humor, talent, and unique spark. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her wonderful career, including how the original production of OKLAHOMA inspired her love of theater, why Carol Haney selected her for FUNNY GIRL, the changes made to “Cornet Man” and “Rat-a-Tat-Tat,” replacing George Sanders with Clive Revill in SHERRY, working with a cast of veterans on the tour of FOLLIES, finding her take on the role of Lily St. Regis in ANNIE, the advice she got from Dorothy Loudon, how the whole original company of ANNIE ended up getting fired, how her role in Equity led to being involved in the MISS SAIGON conflict, how she met Howard Ashman at Indiana University, casting the Urchins in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, choreographing “Mushnik and Son,” why the show belongs off-Broadway, how she ended up working for the State Department, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this interview with a true theater veteran.