Playbill Radio Podcast

Arthur Laurents (Part 2)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:11:00 -0500

Arthur Laurents (Part 1)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:01:00 -0500

Arthur Laurents, the 91-year-old librettist of Broadway classics West Side Story and Gypsy and director of the last two revivals of those shows, comes into the Playbill Radio studio for a far-ranging two-part interview with host Robert Viagas in which he airs his opinions on sex, drugs, death, Patti LuPone, gays in theatre, his own 52-year relationship, foul language in the theatre, a highly-critical recent New York magazine profile; collaborators Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins; plus the forthcoming revival of La Cage aux Folles (which he will not direct). His new memoir, "Mainly on Directing," focuses on his work on the 2008 revival of Gypsy and the current revival of West Side Story, which was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Revival of a Musical. Part one of two parts.

"Reasons To Be Pretty" stars Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:39:00 -0500

Tony nominees Thomas Sadoski and Marin Ireland tell what it's like appearing in "Reasons to Be Pretty," one of the most controversial dramas to open on Broadway this past spring. A passing comment by a man enrages his girlfriend and eventually causes the wreck of their relationship in the play by Neil LaBute that has audiences sometimes angrily shouting back at the actors as they perform. Ireland says she uses special relaxation techniques to get through the Act I argument scene eight times a week, and Sadoski says the play's climactic fight scene between two men sometimes is just as violent as it looks.

2009 Tony Awards Special

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:05:00 -0500

Playbill Radio spent Tony night 2009 on the red carpet outside Radio City Music Hall, and then in the press room talking to the winners moments after accepting their Tony medallions. You'll hear from Alice Ripley, Jerry Herman, Marcia Gay Harden, all three Billy Elliots and lots more.

Talking to the 2009 Tony Nominees (Part 2)

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"The Toxic Avenger" writers David Bryan and Joe DiPietro

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:57:00 -0500

Guest this week on Playbill Radio's Center Stage is David Bryan, one-time composer from the rock band Bon Jovi, who is all over Broadway and Off-Broadway this spring, most notably in the new musical "The Toxic Avenger," which won the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding New Off-Broadway musical. Based on the campy horror film of the same name, "The Toxic Avenger" has a book by Playbill Radio's other guest, Joe DiPietro, author of Broadway's "All Shook Up" and the long running Off-Broadway revue "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

The Magic of Disney on Broadway: Faith Prince

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Talking to the 2009 Tony Nominees (Part 1)

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Tony Awards broadcast is coming up on June 7 and Playbill Radio spent an afternoon shortly after the nominations were announced talking to some of the lucky recipients about their shows, their reactions, their hopes and their dreams. In addition to Broadway stars like Alice Ripley, Christopher Sieber and Constantine Maroulis we hear from the songwriting team of "Next to Normal," the producers of "Billy Elliot" and "The Norman Conquests," the rising young stars of "Reasons to Be Pretty," plus some of Broadway's lesser-known magic makers, all of whom had some surprising and interesting things to say about their chance at Tony glory.

The Magic of Disney on Broadway: Capturing the Backstage Story of "The Little Mermaid"

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:29:00 -0500

Meet Michael Lassell, the author of the definitive collector's books for each of the Disney shows! He tells us what it was like to work at the elbows of the cast, creators and crew to capture the backstage story for the latest collector's book, "The Little Mermaid: From the Deep Blue Sea to the Great White Way."

"The Norman Conquests"

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:20:00 -0500

The three-part Broadway comedy "The Norman Conquests" tied for the most Tony Award nominations of any non-musical show of the 2008-09 season, seven, with nods for director Matthew Warchus and stars Stephen Mangan, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root. Along with Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who serves as co-producer of "The Norman Conquests," all of them join host Robert Viagas to describe the inner workings of their play, which is performed in three parts on three different nights. Written by prolific British author Alan Ayckbourn, the play originated at the Old Vic in London, and came over with its English cast intact.

"Desire Under the Elms"

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Brian Dennehy and director Robert Falls have collaborated on epic revivals of "Death of a Salesman" (1999) and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" (2003). Both won Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play and Best Actor (Dennehy). Now Falls and Dennehy are back on Broadway, this time with a revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under the Elms." Both men, along with co-star Carla Gugino, sit down with Playbill Radio to discuss their monumental collaboration on these American classics.

"Mary Stuart"

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Two nations, two religions and two queens, but only one throne. One queen will reign, one will die, and that's the story of "Mary Stuart," the Friedrich Schiller drama now on Broadway starring Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter in a production imported from a hit run in London. They, along with actor Brian Murray and director Phyllida Lloyd, sit down with host Robert Viagas to talk about the issues in the play, and what it's like to re-create their rivalry in New York.

"Happiness" star Joanna Gleason and librettist John Weidman

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:55:00 -0500

Joanna Gleason, a Tony winner for creating the role of The Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," returned to the musical stage this spring in "Happiness," a new musical from the "Grey Gardens" songwriting team of Michael Korie and Scott Frankel. The libretto of "Happiness" was written by our other guest, John Weidman, who wrote books to "Pacific Overtures," "Assassins" and "Road Show," plus the Tony-winning musical, "Contact." Gleason and Weidman join host Robert Viagas to talk about the creation of the original musical about a group of New York City subway riders who remember the happiest moment of their lives.

Recording "Next to Normal"

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

One of the most innovative new musicals of the Broadway season is "Next to Normal," starring Alice Ripley as a woman whose mental life fractures after a family tragedy. Record producer Kurt Deutsch and songwriters Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey allowed Playbill Radio to sit with them in the Manhattan recording studio as they recorded the original cast album. You'll hear some of their discussions of the various takes of two songs, "Here's Not Here" and "Perfect for You/Hey #3 Reprise." You'll also hear their directions to actors who were performing with the orchestra, plus an in-depth discussion of the creation of their show.

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Rock of Ages"

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:56:00 -0500

The era of 1980's head-banging power rock has inspired a new musical titled "Rock of Ages" that has arrived on Broadway following a successful Off-Broadway run. "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis leads a cast that includes Broadway regulars James Carpinello and Amy Spanger, and the creative and producing team is full of fresh new talent. All of them join host Robert Viagas on Playbill Radio this week to tell about their show, which features the music of rock groups Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister and a half dozen more.

The Magic of Disney on Broadway: Meet The Lion King's Timon and Pumbaa

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:24:00 -0500

Meet one of the great comedy teams on Broadway today: Tom Alan Robbins and Danny Rutigliano, who play Timon the Meerkat and Pumbaa the Wildebeest in Disney's "The Lion King" at the Minskoff Theatre. Find out how these actors create the comic moments that bring these favorite Disney characters to life.

"Guys and Dolls" stars Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Come with Robert Viagas through the doors of Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, down a long hallway, through a door, and up a flight of stairs to the dressing room of Craig Bierko who, with his co-star Kate Jennings Grant, play the timeless Broadway couple of gamble Sky Masterson and Save-a-Soul Mission doll Sarah Brown in Frank Loesser, Abe Burroughs and Jo Swerling's timeless musical fable of Broadway, "Guys and Dolls." They tell how director Des McAnuff used them to help tell the classic story in a brand new way.

"God of Carnage"

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"The God of Carnage": The title makes it sound like a sort of classical war drama. It's actually a new play by Yasmina Reza ("Art") that premiered in London and it's set very much in the present. However, there is not doubt that it builds into a battle royal between two sets of parents set off by a schoolyard incident between their respective children. Reza has written what she describes as "a comedy of manners...without the manners." The Broadway production brings to the stage several actors best known for TV and film work, notably James Gandolfini, star of the long-running "The Sopranos," Jeff Daniels of "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Pleasantville" and other projects, Oscar-winner Marica Gay Harden and Hope Davis. Playbill Radio visits all four of them at their rehearsal hall in Times Square to find out what there was about this play to make them want to do it eight times a week.

"Hair"

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Magic of Disney on Broadway: Around the World

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0500

It's a big world after all for Disney Theatricals. This week, Playbill Radio goes around the world with Ron Kollen, Disney's answer to the Flying Dutchmen. It's his job to put "Beauty and the Beast" in Japan, "The Lion King" in South Africa, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in Germany and dozens of other productions in dozens of cities. He tells stories of how Disney has formed alliances with local talent for the translations, design and casting. We also get the inside story from two cast members of local productions in England and France who helped bring Disney's timeless stories to life in new lands.

"Allegro" star Judy Kuhn

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Rodgers and Hammerstein had so many memorable hits that its easy to forget their handful of short runs and near-misses. One of their least-known musicals was "Allegro," written in 1947 between "Carousel" and "South Pacific." Experimental in subject and form, "Allegro" now has a first-class, all-star studio cast album featuring Audra McDonald, Norbert Leo Butz, Laura Benanti, and our special guest Judy Kuhn. Kuhn came into the Playbill Radio studio to tell us more about "Allegro," and about her career.

"Blithe Spirit"

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Playbill Radio welcomes four-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury, who is returning to Broadway next month in an all-star revival of Noel Coward's ghostly comedy "Blithe Spirit," about a widower who brings home a new bride, only to discover that the ghost of his stylish and outspoken first wife is still around and determined to make trouble. Lansbury plays Madame Arcati, the eccentric medium who contacts the ghostly spouse, played by Christine Ebersole. Both ladies take time out from rehearsals to tell host Robert Viagas about their show. Other guests include co-star Deborah Rush and director Michael Blakemore.

"The Story of My Life" stars Will Chase and Malcolm Gets

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Robert Viagas goes into the rehearsal hall with two of the brightest young male stars on the Broadway scene, Malcolm Gets ("Amour") and Will Chase ("High Fidelity," "Rent"). They have joined forces to co-star as the entire cast of the two-hander musical "The Story of My Life," which debuted at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theatre in Connecticut, before transferring to Broadway's Booth Theatre. They talk about male friendship, lost chances and their completely original new musical with a score by a team of bright Broadway newcomers.

"Shrek the Musical" star Sutton Foster

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

With shows like "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Little Women" and "Young Frankenstein," Sutton Foster has established herself over the past seven years as one of Broadway's foremost musical comedy leading ladies. She's currently tickling funnybones as Princess Fiona in "Shrek the Musical," but the happy girl has gone through some offstage heartbreak recently. Foster is bouncing back with her first solo album, titled "Wish," in which she laughs -- and mourns a little.