Backstage Babble

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 BELLEVILLE, the complexities of telling her own story MARY JANE, what Carrie Coon and Rachel McAdams brought to the title role, working with Jeremy Strong on AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, creating the protagonist of THE GREAT GOD PAN, a valuable lesson from an organic chemistry professor, some of her favorite “play carcasses,” what had to be cut from A DOLL’S HOUSE, her work with her husband, Sam Gold, deciding how to end her plays, exploring the horror genre, the role of a writer in film and TV, her current work adapting CROSSROADS, and so much more. Don’t miss this masterclass in playwriting with one of America's best.

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 QUARTET, what Stephen Sondheim changed about “You Could Drive A Person Crazy” in COMPANY, memories of Mark Brokaw and Adam Schlesinger, why CRY-BABY didn’t succeed on Broadway, learning to skate for XANADU, performing THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY across the country, collaborating with Suzan-Lori Parks on THE RED LETTER PLAYS, her journey with JAGGED LITTLE PILL before and after the pandemic, what drew her to ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE, the genius of Savion Glover and Andy Blankenbuehler, and so much more. Don’t miss this wide-ranging conversation with one of Broadway’s best leading ladies.

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, Jr. through a performance of ON A CLEAR DAY, his personal connection to FLOYD COLLINS, his difficult audition for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, performing “The Speed Test” with his midwestern accent, warming up with David Byrne during JOAN OF ARC, hy he loves the Viewpoints Technique, playing a silent role in THE HOT L BALTIMORE, covering Tony Danza in HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth talk with a Broadway favorite.

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” started as a monologue, getting his first play OUTRAGE produced, the inspiration behind BACH AT LEIPZIG, writing for murderers in CELEBRITY ROW, writing autobiographically with THE FOUR OF US and YELLOWJACKETS, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth talk with one of Broadway’s best writers.

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 Lenora Nemetz sparked his love of theater, giving notes to Chita Rivera during THE RINK, what he learned from Neil Simon, why he related to the story of NINE, how CATS led to his career as a choreographer, coming in on KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN out of town, his first day on the set of ANNIE, why THE PETRIFIED PRINCE didn’t ultimately succeed, collaborating with Sam Mendes on CABARET, choreographing for Alan Cumming, what inspired him to revive LITTLE ME, creating movement for BLITHE SPIRIT, why FOLLIES wouldn’t work as a movie musical, choreographing “A Romantic Atmosphere” in SHE LOVES ME, the fundamental structure of a movie musical vs. a stage musical, shaping the film of INTOT THE WOODS, working on MRS. SANTA CLAUS as his television debut, his upcoming project GUYS AND DOLLS, and so much more. Don’t miss this delightful conversation with a master of making musicals. In-person and livestream tickets to Backstage Babble Live are available here: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-3/

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 ANYTHING GOES for Lincoln Center, choosing the design for LEND ME A TENOR, how he collaborated with Christopher Durang, finding the heart of THE MUSIC MAN, what made him want to revive BIG FISH, the difficulty of working on THE CAPEMAN, how he avoids embarrassing actors, revising THE ADDAMS FAMILY for the national tour, the “Ma Nishtana” question in musical theater, commissioning a new book for SISTER ACT, bringing LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to Broadway, creating STAIRWAY TO PARADISE for Encores!, collaborating with Neil Simon on LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, making changes to FACE VALUE, finding out about the shutdown during MRS. DOUBTFIRE rehearsals, and so much more. Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway’s most brilliant directors. Tickets to Backstage Babble Live are available here: https://54below.org/events/charles-kirschs-backstage-babble-live-3/