Backstage Babble

Today on Backstage Babble, I am so thrilled to present my celebration of the 2020 Tony Awards. The four-hour ceremony can still be viewed on Paramount+ and the CBS App. The evening begins with a few photos and video interviews from the red carpet. I was also invited to be part of the virtual press room for this year’s ceremony, and you can see the questions I got to ask to the night’s winners including Lois Smith, Alex Timbers, and Anthony Veneziale. You can also see longer interview clips that include my questions with director Kenny Leon and playwright Matthew Lopez, because what they said was so powerful it had to be shared. Following this, my extended 40-minute interview with legendary Broadway press agent and producer Irene Gandy, who shares many stories of her career, including learning from Douglas Turner Ward, walking into the New York Times office wearing hot pants, why attitudes about press have changed, the magic of August: Osage County, and the way in which she saw racism in the publicity industry. This program is best viewed in a video format, which is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p91K_oSS9U/ You can watch Ms. Gandy’s Tonys speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffx2MRRCzPY&t=81s/

Today, I am so honored to announce my episode with the amazing Meg Bussert. Meg transitioned from being one of the most active ingenues on Broadway in the 1980s to one of the most sought-after character actresses today. Hear her tell some of the stories of her amazing career on our interview, including a suggestion she got from Meredith Willson, the direction from Michael Kidd that left her speechless, how she made Debbie Reynolds nervous, why John Raitt wasn’t right for Petruchio, figuring out an accent for South Pacific, her go-to audition song, the magic of Tessie O’Shea and Gemze De Lappe, how she set off a fire alarm at the Westchester Broadway Theater, a telegram from Mary Martin, plus Edward Gorey, Barbara Cook, Alan Jay Lerner, and more!! You can also see her in a celebration of Jonathan Tunick happening October 2 at the Sharon Playhouse. Tickets are available here: https://www.sharonplayhouse.org/2021spotlight

Today, I am so excited to bring you the audio version of my recent reunion of the 1970 hit show APPLAUSE, which is available in full video with photos included here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex5cr3T7ASc Participants include Tony Winner and Broadway Legend Len Cariou, Previous Guests Penny Fuller, Lee Roy Reams, Brandon Maggart, and Susan L. Schulman, 9-Time Tony nominated Lighting Designer Ken Billington, Arranger and Orchestrator Mel Marvin, and dancers Michael Misita, Marilyn D'Honau, and Patti D'Beck. Wonderful stories abound about the creation of this legendary musical.

Today, I am so thrilled to announce my episode with the fabulous Julie Budd! She started at the age of 11 in the Catskills, and since then has performed at the Kennedy Center, Caesar’s Palace, Birdland, and many other illustrious venues. She also has made many notable appearances on Broadway and in Hollywood. And today, she joins me on Backstage Babble to tell some of the stories of her legendary career, including: conversing with a pantsless George Burns, the advice Frank Sinatra gave her, doing homework in Ed Sullivan’s apartment, the philosophy of Bob Hope, why she thought everyone on Broadway was crazy, getting discovered by Herb Bernstein, Marvin Hamlisch’s odd sleeping habits, why working for Disney was the highlight of her life, and so much more.

Today, I am so excited to announce my episode with one of the foremost theater historians and one of my personal heroes, the great Ethan Mordden. You may know his legendary decades series or his myriad other books, but today we are here to talk about his newest release, Pick a Pocket or Two: A History of British Musical Theatre. The book is a must-read and can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Pocket-Two-History-British/dp/0190877952/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Mr. Mordden tells quite a few tales on today’s episode, including watching a sedentary Elaine Stritch, a brilliant change by Alan Jay Lerner, a shocking fact about Eva LeGallienne, how Oliver revitalized the British musical as a form, performing his own songs for Richard Rodgers, the differences between Gilbert and Sullivan, how a Madame Tussaud’s wax dummy opened a musical, why he doesn’t conduct interviews for his books, and the shows he classifies as pop operas (some may surprise you). Plus Ivor Novello, Susan Johnson, Charlie Stemp, and more!

I am so happy to release today Part 2 of my episode with the amazing Nancy Dussault, where she talks about the latter half of her career, including Into the Woods and Side By Side By Sondheim, plus Too Close For Comfort, Good Morning America, and more. The stories abound once again: her quintessential New York experience, hectic times on the sets of Barney Miller and Mad About You, how doing the weather on TV turned into an unplanned comedy routine, why Ted Knight could be very controlling, how she found the character of the Witch, why she forgot where she was one night on the stage of the Martin Beck Theater, her involvement with the show Cabaret, plus Dick Van Dyke, Hermoine Gingold, Stephen Sondheim, and more! Find PICK A POCKET OR TWO: https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Pocket-Two-History-British/dp/0190877952

I am so thrilled today to announce Part 1 of my episode with Broadway star and Tony Nominee Nancy Dussault. She’s done it all: from starring on Broadway in Do Re Mi, The Sound of Music, and Bajour, to her memorable appearances on screen in Too Close for Comfort, The In-Laws, and more. In this candid and funny conversation, she shares just some of the stories of her amazing career. Those include a quip from Judy Garland, how Garson Kanin made her cry, why she felt uncomfortable around Richard Rodgers, why it’s so rare to be a Broadway star, the art of putting together a cabaret act, watching her name go up on a marquee, the brilliance of Joseph Papp and John Kenley, the kindness of Lady Bird Johnson, the one project of hers she would love to see a video of, her signature audition songs, compliments from Lena Horne and Jule Styne, plus Liza Minnelli, Marc Blitzstein, Burton Lane, and more!

I am so happy to be joined for today’s episode by the cast and crew of the new film THE SIXTH REEL: co-writer, co-director, and star Charles Busch, co-writer and co-director Carl Andress, and actor Doug Plaut. The movie premieres at OutFest in LA today, August 19th, and streams online through the 22nd. It is a fabulous movie which you can find tickets for here: https://outfestla2021.com/the-sixth-reel/. But before you watch, listen to all the behind-the-scenes stories only on Backstage Babble. They talk about the rocky road to getting the movie produced, how the idea evolved from 2012 until now, ideas from other cast members, how they explain the positive response so far, the way they all got interested in classic movies, hidden easter eggs, Covid precautions, virtual casting, the editing process, and more. You can also find stories about cast members Margaret Cho, Julie Halston, Tim Daly, and Heather MacRae, plus Edie Adams and more!

I am so happy to announce Part 2 of my episode with Broadway legend Brandon Maggart. He discusses the second half of his amazing career with me, including: how he almost missed a performance of Lorelei, the machinations of Carol Channing, the reason One Night Stand didn’t play well to audiences, the most touching audience response he ever received, how a nightclub performance led to Sesame Street, the TV show he almost originated (hint: it happens every Saturday night), playing a trick on Howard Keel, and the Broadway show he contributed to. He also opens up about his struggle with addiction and the loss of his daughter. Brandon is inspiring, thoughtful, funny, wise—-truly one of a kind. You can’t miss this!

On August 4th, Backstage Babble celebrated its 1st anniversary. And I can’t think of a better way to kick off Year #2 than my conversation with Broadway legend Brandon Maggart, of Applause, Lorelei, and so many more. In Part 1 of our conversation, he tells some of the stories of his long career, including: his unusual audition for Kelly, an accident at Radio City Music Hall, why Lauren Bacall did not get along with stagehands, obnoxious comments by Leonard Sillman and Robert Klein, the starring role he turned down, a moving moment with Anita Gillette, an onstage mistake by Arlene Dahl, how Lee Roy Reams covered for him at the Cherry Lane, having to fire his future wife, plus stories about Helen Gallagher, Karen Morrow, John Cullum, and more! Through the lens of his own career, Brandon also offers helpful insights for young performers.

As Backstage Babble approaches it’s year anniversary, I will be airing some of the episodes that best exemplify what I have been trying to do with this podcast. And certainly my conversation with the legendary Alan Bergman fits in that category. At 95, he was able to offer incredible wisdom and stories that are a must-hear for younger generations. He shares the secret to movie scoring, how Fred Astaire made an exception for him, Frank Sinatra’s nickname for him, the unusual prompt that led him to “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?,” which comes first: the lyrics or the music, the secret to his long-lasting partnership with his wife, Marilyn Bergman, how the idea for Something More! Came about, his musical influences growing up, and the two books every young songwriter must read. Plus: Norman Lear, Barbra Streisand, Michel LeGrand, and more!

After a short break, Backstage Babble is BACK, and I am so proud to present my episode with the extraordinarily talented singer, actress, and comedian Christine Pedi. With a career spanning three Broadway shows, a daily radio show on Sirius XM, long-running stints off-Broadway in two hit parody shows, several York Theater revivals, appearances on quite a few hit TV shows, and an ever-growing cabaret career, how could she not have stories to tell? Tune in to hear her talk about how she surprised her parents with her role in Chicago, the Forbidden Broadway skit that she suggested, the magic of Alvin Colt, the advice Jerry Herman gave her, getting compliments from Helen Gurley Brown, imitating Suze Orman to Suze Orman, the logistics of putting together a radio show, how Act One affected her Father, and what she hopes everyone will have learned from Covid. Plus: Angela Lansbury, Gerard Alessandrini, Rick Crom, Fran Weissler, and more!

For the last episode of Backstage Babble’s Pride Month, I welcome Broadway legend Ken Page, star of Cats, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Guys and Dolls, and more, as well as a regular actor at the St. Louis MUNY for over 25 years. His on-screen appearances include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Torch Song Trilogy, and Dreamgirls. On July 1 (because Pride should continue to be celebrated throughout the year), hear him share some beautiful words about his coming out journey and what the concept means to him. Plus, lots of showbiz stories: the moment in Cats that he created, what was missing in the revival of Ain’t Misbehavin’, the joke that Abe Burrows taught him how to land, how a cabaret medley got him a role in The Wiz, getting an early lesson on how to cry, the favorite award he’s ever won, being introduced by Gillian Lynne, plus Harvey Fierstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nell Carter, and more!

For the penultimate installment in Backstage Babble’s Pride Month, I could not be more thrilled to welcome the amazing Steven Brinberg. As the premiere Barbra Streisand impersonator, he has performed in such venues as the Kennedy Center and Avery Fisher Hall, plus on Broadway with the concert of Funny Girl. Today, he joins me to tell some of the stories of his amazing career: how he edited Terrence McNally, making quips and eating ice cream with Marvin Hamlisch, competing offers from Barbra and Bette, a disappointing appearance with Rosie O’Donnell, writing a song with Stephen Sondheim, how Barbra sometimes takes his suggestions, what his dream show would be (hint: in Las Vegas, and directed by the lady herself!), and what makes Barbra a gay icon. Plus: Diana Rigg, Lainie Kazan, Jerry Springer, and more!

Today, I am so excited to welcome the extraordinarily funny Jason Graae to the podcast. He has put smiles on the faces of anyone who’s ever seen him perform, be it on Broadway in Stardust and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, off-Broadway in Forever Plaid and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, or on screen! Tune in to hear him talk about his legendary career, including: a cryptic comment from James Lapine, his two favorite Friends, getting comedy advice from Jerry Herman, how Jose Ferrer messed up his debut, the show that Vicki Lewis misjudged, teasing Thommie Walsh, imitating Ken Jennings, changing the plot of Camelot, and more! Plus his imitations of William Finn, Karen Morrow, and Valerie Cherish!

I am so happy to be joined again by the legendary Lawrence Leritz. In the second part of our conversation, he discusses his choreographic and singing career, including getting career tips from Patti LaBelle, a call from Jimmy Carter, being manipulated by Berry Gordy, speaking Hebrew with Herschel Bernardi, setting up a dance between Beverly Sills and Peter Martins, and doing comedic dancing with Harvey Keitel and Carly Rae Jepsen! Lawrence is a man of the theater through and through, and you can’t miss his enthusiasm about or dedication to his craft.

I am so happy to be joined today by the amazing dancer, choreographer, actor, and producer Lawrence Leritz. With the amount of varied and prestigious projects he has been a part of, it’s no wonder that our conversation turned into two parts! Tune in today to discuss the movie that Bob Fosse got him, his brief involvement with the American Dance Machine, Alvin Ailey’s wild lifestyle, yawning in front of Alexandra Danilova, the problem with the Uris/Gershwin Theater, getting picked from a dance class by Sir Frederick Ashton, bonding with Tommy Tune, and more!

Here it is: Part 2 of my conversation with the brilliant Tony Sheldon! Tune in today to hear him discuss his New York career, including roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Amelie on Broadway, Charles Busch’s Cleopatra, and The Band Wagon at Encores. Stories abound: A false promise from the Weisslers, giving suggestions to Charles Busch, how Beth Leavel helped him at the Tony Awards, his cut number from Priscilla, an odd backstage visit from Cloris Leachman, the Encores! show he had to turn down, why he thought Amelie on Broadway was a mistake, and living in Audra McDonald’s basement. Plus: Roger Rees, Jordan Roth, Jerry Mitchell, Shirley MacLaine, and more!

I am so happy to be joined for the latest installment in Backstage Babble’s Pride Month series by international musical theater star Tony Sheldon. His immense body of work in Australia including starring roles in productions of TORCH SONG TRILOGY, I HATE HAMLET, INTO THE WOODS, PRIVATE LIVES, FALSETTOS, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, COMPANY, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, NOISES OFF, ONCE IN A LIFETIME, and more. Today he talks about all of that and more in Part 1 of the in-depth conversation. Hear him talk about singing on TV at the age of 7, growing up with performing legends Toni Lamond (his mother) and Helen Reddy (his aunt), how he accidentally exposed the homophobia of a major casting agency, why it took a bomb scare to meet Harvey Fierstein, Cyd Charisse’s unexpected shortcoming, why The Producers was “a nightmare,” the basic history of Australian musical theater, plus stories about Yvonne DeCarlo, Bob Fosse, Mel Brooks, and more.

For the second episode of Pride Month, I welcome the designer of the original production of one of the most seminal gay works, The Boys in the Band. Among his numerous other credits include Dames At Sea, The Mad Show, Johnny Johnson, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, and more. Tune in to hear him talk about why Lotte Lenya wouldn’t fire Jose Quintero, how Joe Papp ruined a show in Philadelphia, how Shelley Winters tried to sabotage Carol Kane, how Mart Crowley came to appreciate his set, creating the iconic design for Dames at Sea, the hardest Broadway theater to design for, why Lee Strasberg had no creative vision, plus stories about Richard Gere, Tallulah Bankhead, Bernadette Peters, and so many more.

Today, I am honored to present to you the interview I did with Rob W. Schneider and Kevin David Thomas, hosts of the hit theater podcast Behind the Curtain (https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/behind-the-curtain/) to celebrate their amazing accomplishment of having over 500 episodes now available for listening. They are certainly masters in the field of podcasting, so I was a little intimidated to turn the tables on them, but it turned out to be a LOT of fun! Listen to the episode above or on their podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-crossover-backstage-babbles-charles-kirsch/id1080144159?i=1000524446082 And then go hear their interviews with Nathan Lane, Lainie Kazan, Matthew Broderick, Charles Strouse, Victor Garber, and so many other musical theater legends.

This is the first episode of Backstage Babble’s Pride Month, a series of enlightening conversations with LGBT artists whose careers span over 60 years of gay Broadway history. And what better way to kick it off than an interview with a legend like dancer/choreographer Grover Dale. He has lent his talents to such shows as West Side Story, Sail Away, The Magic Show, Li’l Abner, Rachael Lily Rosenbloom, and more and he discusses it all today on Backstage Babble. Hear him talk about dancing with Gene Kelly, the Broadway hit he almost turned down, the Jerome Robbins’ Broadway that never was, volunteering to swim with Esther Williams, getting a dressing room visit from Noel Coward and Marlene Dietrich, playing poker with Tommy Steele, plus his relationships with Elaine Stritch, Anthony Perkins, Anita Morris, and Larry Kert. You won’t want to miss this.

The icon that is Brenda Braxton joins Backstage Babble today to discuss her legendary career from replacing in the 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls all the way up to the pandamndemic (as she refers to it). Hear her talk about mass fainting during the filming of The Wiz, learning valuable lessons from Vinnette Carroll, spending her birthday with Tom Hanks, serenading Peter Allen, the moment when she realized she was becoming a cat, and the impetus and interviews for her amazing book The Little Black Book of Backstage Etiquette. Plus: Harvey Fierstein, Mike Nichols, Usher, George C. Wolfe, and more! Ms. Braxton was a total joy from start to finish, and her sparkling wit and charm never fail to come through.

I am so thrilled to announce Part 2 of my episode with the amazing Broadway legend Karen Morrow. Tune in to hear her talk about a cryptic conversation with Michael Bennett, singing a love song with Gordon MacRae, how Ed Kleban begged her not to quit a show, being thrown a birthday party by Joseph Papp, watching Howard Keel flub an important line, last-minute fixes in The Selling of the President, what advice she would give looking back at her older performances, meeting with Sid Caesar under a table, duetting with Joanne Worley and James Brown, asking John Raitt for money, and why she decided to leave the business. Plus stories about Loretta Swit, Jerry Herman, John Kenley, Carl Reiner, Ron Moody, and more.

Today, I am thrilled to be joined by Broadway legend Karen Morrow, star of I Had a Ball, The Grass Harp, I’m Solomon, A Joyful Noise, The Selling of the President, Edwin Drood, and more. Tune in to hear her talk about holding hands with Nat King Cole, dating John Davidson, how Buddy Hackett broke her up onstage, having Frank Loesser as her agent, why she blames herself for Lloyd Richards’ firing, replacing Celeste Holm, watching Charles Strouse helicopter out of the MUNY, and her advice to musical theater students today!! Plus, stories about Richard Rodgers, Luba Lisa, Charles Nelson Reilly, Claibe Richardson, Dick Shawn, and more.

Today, I am honored to be joined once again by the luminous Christine Andreas. In Part 2 of our conversation, she discusses her much-lauded cabaret career as well as her stage performances in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Fields of Ambrosia, La Cage Aux Folles, and more. Hear her talk about collaborating with Frank Wildhorn, overestimating the British, sharing a dressing room with Veanne Cox, embodying Judy Garland, how she crafts a cabaret show, the meaning behind “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” plus stories about Terrence Mann, Kelsey Grammer, and her husband Martin Silvestri.

Today, I am honored to be joined by the radiant Christine Andreas. In Part 1 of our in-depth interview, hear her discuss her legendary career as a Broadway star—you’re sure to fall under her spell and see why she was one of the pre-eminent stars of the 1970s and 1980s, leading the revival movement with such shows as My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, and On Your Toes. She tells never before heard stories about the backstage politics at Rags, why she dreaded going to work as Eliza every day, turning down George Abbott and Billy Hammerstein, finding chemistry onstage, why she believes in mystical presences, rolling out the red carpet backstage, plus stories about Agnes De Mille, Peter Allen, Radie Harris, and more.

Today, I am honored to welcome to the podcast as the second installment in our Memoirs and Rising Stars week, the fabulous Martin Milnes! Martin is the author of the new memoir Wild Card: How I Learned to Have a Friend, Be a Friend, and Finally Love My Birthday, which can be purchased here: https://www.martinmilnes.com/product-page/wild-card-signed-copy. Tune in today to hear many of the stories of Martin’s life and friendships with older legends: the secret he learned from Stephen Sondheim, why Sandy Wilson could be “very tricky,” getting guidance from Leslie Bricusse and Gyles Brandreth, meeting your idols, and the “divine madness” of the Thursford Christmas Shows!

Today, I am honored to be joined by Samantha Hahn, author of On The Roof, the recent book about Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. In addition to playing Beylke in that production, she has also appeared in Nella the Princess Knight, and the virtual Mystery of Edwin Drood. Tune in today to hear her talk about all things Fiddler, why Joel Grey was very smart, the most exciting celebrity visit she had, learning Yiddish phonetically, plus stories about Jackie Hoffman, Sheldon Harnick, and more! Buy her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Roof-look-inside-Fiddler-Yiddish/dp/1784658642/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=on+the+roof+Samantha+hahn&qid=1618858466&sr=8-1

Today, Backstage Babble is not crazy for YOU but crazy for the wonderful Karen Ziemba, today's guest! Tune in to hear her talk about her legendary career including her long professional collaboration with Susan Stroman, how Jerome Robbins made her cry, the compliment Woody Allen gave her, playing a nun, being directed by Hal Prince, the off-Broadway show she wishes could have transferred, plus stories about John Kander, Debra Monk, Michael Bennett, and more.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.