Backstage Babble

Today, I’m thrilled to announce a very special 2025 wrap-up episode of Backstage Babble. 25 former guests, including legendary actors, writers, and directors, returned to the show to share three top theater memories from the last 25 years, and the result is a collection of never-before-heard anecdotes and thrilling insights. This episode features, in alphabetical order: Betsy AidemBeowulf...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Oscar-nominated stage and screen director Rob Marshall. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including rehearsing with Renee Zellweger for the film of CHICAGO, pitching his adaptation of the script to Miramax, putting his own stamp on DAMN YANKEES, teaching Blake Edwards about directing theater during VICTOR/VICTORIA, how...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Annie McGreevey. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her wonderful career, including a memorable note from Bob Fosse during SWEET CHARITY, standing by for Ethel Merman in CALL ME MADAM, the joy of working with John Kenley, singing for Hal Prince at her COMPANY audition, talking to Stephen Sondheim about “Another Hundred...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with four-time Tony winning director Jerry Zaks. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his wonderful career, including creating a three-part comedic bit in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, helping Swoosie Kurtz find her character in THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, his upcoming work on BOEING-BOEING, an audacious early audition, revising...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway director Darko Tresnjak, whose production of ARCHDUKE is currently playing off-Broadway. Tune in to hear some of her wonderful stories, including the first idea he brought to A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE, creating the iconic staging for “I’ve Decided to Marry You,” cutting the show’s original bows sequence, why he connected with ANASTASIA,...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. Tune in to hear some of his wonderful stories, including why JELLY’S LAST JAM was the hardest show he’s ever done, an out-of-body experience during RAGTIME, learning KING HEDLEY II in nine days, how he came to appreciate KISS ME, KATE, getting slapped by Marin Mazzie, auditioning for OH, KAY! and PORGY...

Today, I’m thrilled to present a “Broadway Behind the Scenes” special featuring conversations with two of New York theater’s most influential figures: producer and press agent Jeffrey Richards and casting director Tara Rubin. Tune in to hear scintillating stories and insights about both of their careers and their thoughts on the current state of Broadway.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway director Trip Cullman, whose production of Martyna Majok’s Queens is currently playing at Manhattan Theater Club. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including reinventing I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, the use of music into CULT OF LOVE and CHOIR BOY, working on UNKNOWN SOLDIER after Michael Friedman passed...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Michael Vita. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how PROMISES, PROMISES changed Broadway, how summer camp led to BYE BYE BIRDIE, moving to England in 1961, a long preview process for GOLDEN RAINBOW, his memorable audition for BALLROOM, touring America with 42ND STREET, having fun backstage with...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with three-time Tony nominated librettist David Thompson. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he made his debut with FLORA, THE RED MENACE, experimenting with AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND, the last-minute nature of the CHICAGO revival, what he learned from Kander and Ebb, why 70, GIRLS, 70 is an anomaly, working with...