PODCAST · arts
Backstage Babble
by cbroadwaypodcast
A new podcast interviewing professionals in the theater industry about themselves, their careers, and the people they've worked with along the way.
Episodes
-
Katie Finneran
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony winner Katie Finneran. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including performing in ON BORROWED TIME and TWO SHAKESPEAREAN ACTORS at once, lessons she learned from Uta Hagen, her friendship with Neil Simon…
more -
Warren Carlyle
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winning director/choreographer Warren Carlyle. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the notes Stephen Sondheim gave him during FOLLIES, the joy of the Encores! process, creating “Marian the Librarian” in THE...
-
Amy Herzog
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including writing about her grandmother in 4000 MILES, why AFTER THE REVOLUTION was a bigger play than she usually writes, how Ibsen inspired her play...
-
Stephen Spinella
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony winner Stephen Spinella, who is currently starring in Jerome at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including a transcendent experience onstage in ANGELS IN AMERICA, how he first met…
more -
Elizabeth Stanley
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, who will be starring in the newly announced production of Disruption. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including John Rando’s mantra for ON THE TOWN, the unique vibe of MILLION DOLLAR...
-
Jeremy Shamos
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Jeremy Shamos, who will be starring in the newly announced revival of Awake and Sing. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the experience of starring in the controversial CORPUS CHRISTI, experimenting...
-
Sarah Ruhl
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with legendary playwright Sarah Ruhl. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her experience breaking the fourth wall in EURYDICE, telling her own story in LETTERS FROM MAX, watching the audience response to IN THE NEXT...
-
Michael Hayden
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Michael Hayden. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the real questions asked by CAROUSEL, finding his singing voice for the role, why he decided to leave CABARET, getting advice from Edward Albee...
-
Deirdre O'Connell
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Deirdre O’Connell, who is currently starring in Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the intensive process of learning DANA H, her harrowing Broadway debut…
more -
Patricia Conolly
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Patricia Conolly, who has appeared in over 30 Broadway shows. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including acting with Laurence Olivier in THE BROKEN HEART, a note Tom Stoppard gave her during THE COAST OF...
-
Danny Mefford
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway director and choreographer Danny Mefford, whose productions of SPELLING BEE and BIGFOOT are currently playing off-Broadway. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including identifying the central arc in SPELLING…
more -
Linda Emond
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with three-time Tony nominee Linda Emond, who is currently starring in BECKY SHAW. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her winding road to her Broadway debut in 1776, working with Mike Nichols and Philip Seymour…
more -
Sam Gold
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with visionary director Sam Gold. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how Alan Rickman got him his Broadway directing debut with SEMINAR, acting as a college student in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, adapting a graphic…
more -
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega, who is currently starring in THE ADDING MACHINE at The New Group. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the relevance of Elmer Rice’s play, gaining early stardom with RENT,...
-
Laurence O'Keefe
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...
-
Tina Landau
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...
-
Jonathan Cake
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...
-
Backstage Babble Shorts: Rocco Landesman and Tony Shalhoub
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...
-
Micaela Diamond
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,...
-
Elizabeth Marvel
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…
more -
Sean Allan Krill
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...
-
Julie Taymor
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…
more -
Itamar Moses
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…
more -
2025 Wrap-Up Episode
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...
-
Rob Marshall
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…
more -
Annie McGreevey
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,...
-
Jerry Zaks
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...
-
Darko Tresnjak
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...
-
Brian Stokes Mitchell
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...
-
Broadway Behind the Scenes with Jeffrey Richards and Tara Rubin
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...
-
Trip Cullman
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…
more -
Michael Vita
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...
-
David Thompson
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…
more -
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner and Emmy nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he booked his Broadway debut in ON THE TOWN during college, why it worked better at the Delacorte than on Broadway,...
-
Chris Sarandon
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Oscar nominee Chris Sarandon. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including how he fell in love with Joanna Gleason during NICK AND NORA, bonding with the cast of THE ROTHSCHILDS, co-starring with Rex Harrison in THE…
more -
Carmen Cusack
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony nominee Carmen Cusack. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including collaborating with Steve Martin on BRIGHT STAR, taking LSD to prepare for FLYING OVER SUNSET, her upcoming role in BULL DURHAM, why the...
-
Dick Scanlan
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony-winning writer Dick Scanlan. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his eight years performing in PAGEANT, how THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE turned him into a theater writer, giving Sutton Foster her breakout role…
more -
Kate Jennings Grant
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with theater veteran Kate Jennings Grant. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the secret to her role in PROOF, a full-circle moment with GUYS AND DOLLS, working with the late, great Mark Brokaw and Linda Lavin on THE...
-
Will Brill
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Will Brill, who will be starring in MEET THE CARTOZIANS off-Broadway this fall. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the unique process of creating STEREOPHONIC, moving the show from Playwrights…
more -
Stephen Lang
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...
-
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
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...
-
John Benjamin Hickey
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…
more -
Wayne Cilento
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:...
-
Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo
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…
more -
Ann Morrison
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...
-
Adam Grupper
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…
more -
Jonathan Tolins
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...
-
Sally Murphy
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:...
-
Edie Cowan
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...
-
Jeffrey Seller
Today, I’m thrilled to announce my episode with Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller, whose new memoir Theater Kid is available anywhere books are sold. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including celebrating HAMILTON’s tenth anniversary, making RENT accessible to younger...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A new podcast interviewing professionals in the theater industry about themselves, their careers, and the people they've worked with along the way.
HOSTED BY
cbroadwaypodcast
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Backstage Babble have?
Backstage Babble currently has 290 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Backstage Babble about?
A new podcast interviewing professionals in the theater industry about themselves, their careers, and the people they've worked with along the way.
How often does Backstage Babble release new episodes?
Backstage Babble publishes regularly with 290 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Backstage Babble?
You can listen to Backstage Babble on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Backstage Babble?
Backstage Babble is created and hosted by cbroadwaypodcast.
URL copied to clipboard!