Tina Landau

Tina Landau

From Backstage Babble by cbroadwaypodcast

March 12, 2026 · 1h 31m · Episode 278

About this episode

An in-depth interview with Tony-nominated writer and director Tina Landau discussing her career and creative processes.

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 reflected a personal tragedy, the two plays she wrote as a child, what she writes on casting sheets, researching FLOYD COLLINS, what she takes from Athol Fugard and Hal Prince, what attracted her to BELLS ARE RINGING, building music into MOTHER PLAY, how she found the Viewpoints method, how Anne Bogart changed her view of theater, how she joined Steppenwolf, having actors generate movement, creating OLD HATS with Bill Irwin and David Shiner, the emotional experience of directing THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, what she would like to work on next, and so much more. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of Broadway’s best.

People in this episode

Guest: Tina Landau

Topics covered

  • theater
  • musical direction
  • Broadway
  • interview
  • creative process
  • collaboration
  • personal storytelling

Keywords

  • Tina Landau
  • Broadway
  • musical theater
  • SPONGEBOB
  • REDWOOD
  • FLOYD COLLINS
  • collaboration
  • theater direction
  • Anne Bogart
  • Idina Menzel

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Steppenwolf

Books & works: SPONGEBOB, REDWOOD, FLOYD COLLINS, BELLS ARE RINGING, MOTHER PLAY, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

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