Backstage Babble

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 s...

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...

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 Rockab...

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...

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 pe...

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 Mesopot...

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

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...

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 lon...

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 Geor...

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 T...