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 revival of CARRIE didn’t work, why the story of WICKED resonated with her, her abbreviated process with CALL ME MADAM, finding her take on the lead role in SOUTH PACIFIC, performing THE SECRET GARDEN for Prince Charles, how she earned an honorary degree, why she was hesitant to accept her role in LEMPICKA, co-starring with Faith Prince and Marin Mazzie, the difficulties of starring in SWEENEY TODD at the MUNY, how she almost became a jazz singer, her journey with THREE SUMMERS OF LINCOLN, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s brightest stars.

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 in the show, directing Ellen Greene in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, being influenced by Gilbert and Sullivan, the benefit performance that spawned EVERYDAY RAPTURE, editing Poz Magazine, watching THE SOUND OF MUSIC in a theater full of nuns, his unconventional journey from Carnegie Mellon to NYU, his research process for AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, why he turned down TOOTSIE, the thrill of working with Berry Gordy on MOTOWN, revising THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, telling prisoners’ real stories in WHORL INSIDE A LOOP, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best wordsmiths.

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 LYONS, a tip from Vanessa Redgrave, why Christopher Durang wanted her to play the lead in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, meeting her husband Doug Hughes during BEARD OF AVON, starring in tours of APPLAUSE and FINIAN’S RAINBOW, how Wendy Wasserstein gave her her screen debut, why she loves singing Stephen Sondheim’s music, the notes George C. Wolfe gave her during RADIANT BABY, the joys of co-starring with Wendie Malick in BLITHE SPIRIT, why she turned down SPAMALOT, the injury that caused her brief leave from OLD FRIENDS, the intensity of co-starring with Glenn Close in MOTHER OF THE MAID, coming out of the pandemic with MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, researching her role as Diane Sawyer in FROST/NIXON, what she learned from Tammy Grimes during A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, why NOISES OFF was like training for the Olympics, and so much more. Don’t miss this open conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

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 Horizons to Broadway, being part of the Tonys campaign, why the response to OKLAHOMA surprised him, the cosmic alignment of A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, dealing with different audience interactions during OUR TOWN, finding success on TV with FELLOW TRAVELERS, James Lapine’s fearlessness in shaping ACT ONE, how Tony Shalhoub scripted gibberish, the meta experience of starring in ILLYRIA at the Public Theater, his method of memorizing lines, playing Shakespeare on screen, co-starring with David Cromer in UNCLE VANYA, a guiding quote from Uta Hagen, the mythology around alcoholism in theater, what he learned from James Earl Jones during YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway's brightest stars.

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 GOOD MEN, how he became the youngest honorary member of the D’Oyly Carte Theater Company, why Lynn Redgrave was perfect for SAINT JOAN, working with Arthur Miller on his final play FINISHING THE PICTURE, the challenges of performing with Quentin Tarantino in WAIT UNTIL DARK, why Len Cariou was a perfect co-star for him, how he chose to play the title role in HAMLET on Broadway, what Gerald Schoenfeld taught him about the Tonys, the genesis of his solo show BEYOND GLORY, how that play led to his role in AVATAR, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a star of stage and screen.

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 SCARFACE, the thrill of singing SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, how AMADEUS inspired her to take acting lessons, why Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA is a thankless role, dancing for Jerome Robbins, how THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO changed courses in rehearsal, why THE KNIFE was ahead of its time, her relationship with Joseph Papp, how she almost starred in KISS ME, KATE, the extended rehearsal process for THE COLOR OF MONEY, how theater is different in London, balancing jet lag with LAW AND ORDER, how Roger Rees led the company of THE WINSLOW BOY, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a star of stage and screen.

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 in CABARET, singing for Stephen Sondheim, reimagining THE CRUCIBLE in the 9/11 era, how coming out helped him find ideal collaborators, how Julie White and Theresa Rebeck made him become a director, why he wanted to revive PLAZA SUITE, why his role in MARY STUART was especially challenging, how Neil Simon’s politics have been misunderstood, revisiting THE NORMAL HEART with Larry Kramer, why the revival of SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION didn’t take off, the profound effect that THE INHERITANCE had on audiences, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a true Broadway favorite.

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: Wayne Cilento. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including his reflections on the 50th anniversary of A CHORUS LINE, how Michael Bennett kept the show on track, discussing BIG DEAL with Bob Fosse, reinventing DANCIN’ for 2023 audiences, creating a movement style for WICKED, collaborating with Des McAnuff on TOMMY and HOW TO SUCCEED, how an Elvis Presley postcard inspired “Pinball Wizard,” how THE ACT led him to become a choreographer, how choreographing commercials helped him hone his skills as a director, the challenges of reviving SWEET CHARITY, making his Broadway debut with BABY, working with Heather Headley on AIDA, coming in on DREAM at the last minute, lending his talents to HIGH SOCIETY and THE MAGIC SHOW, why he turned down SUMMER, choreographing Chita Rivera in JERRY’S GIRLS, choreographing acts for everyone from Carol Channing to Alicia Keys, exploring new forms of dance for HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, backstage shenanigans at SEESAW, his memories of RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM…, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a seven-time Tony nominee and true Broadway veteran.   Wildcat Tickets: https://54below.org/events/54-sings-wildcat/

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 logo design, showing Angela Lansbury the SWEENEY TODD logo, his career renaissance as a mystery writer, his early work on OVER HERE and GYPSY, designing two logos for WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?, Stephen Sondheim’s note on his logo for GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, why he focuses on the font of the title of a show, his favorite poster that never made it, presenting his A DOLL’S LIFE designs to Hal Prince, the two Susan Schulman’s who brought his book to fruition, paying tribute to Saul Bass with his PRYMATE design, coming up with different takes on MORNING’S AT SEVEN, venturing into advertising with IMAGINARY FRIENDS, his thoughts on AI art, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with a true visionary.

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 MERILY WE ROLL ALONG, modeling Mary Flynn after Mary Rodgers, how Hal Prince cast her in LOVEMUSIK, her international audition process for PEG, telling Mabel Normand’s story in KEYSTONE, running a theater company with her ex-husband, what she brought to the role of King Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, working with Jessica Stone to find her take on Kimberly Levaco, and so much more. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of Broadway’s most unique talents.