Backstage Babble

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated composer, lyricist, and librettist Laurence O’Keefe, author of the musical HEATHERS, which is currently playing at New World Stages. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including developing BAT BOY at the Actors’ Gang, revising the show for productions at Harvard and Encores!, deconstructing the title song...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-nominated writer and director Tina Landau. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including conceiving the SPONGEBOB musical, how she decided to bring in multiple pop artists to write the score, meeting Adam Guettel at Yale, developing REDWOOD with Idina Menzel, how the concept for that musical evolved, how that show...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with star of stage and screen Jonathan Cake, who is currently starring in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his collaboration with Fiona Shaw on MEDEA, touring as a young actor with the National Youth Theater, how he first encountered DEATH OF A SALESMAN, bringing Tennessee Williams’ BABY DOLL...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce two Backstage Babble shorts: conversations with legendary artists that, for whatever reason, didn’t last as long as full episodes. For this special episode, it is an honor to welcome producer and theater owner Rocco Landesman, and Tony winner Tony Shalhoub, who is currently starring in Antigone (This Play I Read in High School) at the Public Theater. Don’t miss...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Micaela Diamond. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including finding her voice in PARADE, acting opposite Ben Platt, what she learned from her debut in THE CHER SHOW, researching Cher’s life and career, learning from Stephanie J. Block and Teal Wicks, getting notes from Ethan Coen in A PLAY IS A POEM,...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Elizabeth Marvel, who is currently starring in THE DINOSAURS at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her unlikely beginnings, how Michael Langham gave her her Broadway debut in THE SEAGULL, performing the controversial revival of JULIUS CAESAR in the Park, why she wants to...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Sean Allan Krill, who is currently starring in CHESS. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including developing JAGGED LITTLE PILL from the ART to Broadway, the show’s two unexpected closings, the key to unlocking his role in CHESS, researching the role of Governor Slaton in PARADE, following Harry Connick,...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning director Julie Taymor. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the visual motif of circles in THE LION KING, adapting the plot of the film, exploring artifice in THE TEMPEST on stage and on screen, working with Kathryn Hunter on A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, practicing mask work in auditions, how studying...

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning playwright Itamar Moses. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including making changes to THE ALLY, the radio-play aspects of DEAD OUTLAW, his collaboration with David Cromer, why HAMILTON deserved its Best Book Tony award, adapting THE BAND’S VISIT for the stage, moving the show to Broadway, how “Omar Sharif”...

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...