BEHIND THE CURTAIN: BROADWAY'S LIVING LEGENDS » Podcast

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: The schizophrenia of the 1970s, Mrs. Garrett slays Kander & Ebb, Bacall belts her face, why Lee Roy Reams is the best bartender, and Wright & Forrest start anew. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Brilliant. Hysterical. Dangerous. Those three words best sum up veteran character actor Lewis Stadlen. A two time Tony nominee, Lewis has seen it all and has worked with the best. His many credits include Minnie's Boys, the 1974 revival of Candide, the 1996 revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, Guys and Dolls, plus four Neil Simon premieres. And, now, Lewis sits down with Rob and Kevin to look back on his journey; unedited and unfiltered. Lewis pulls back the curtain on his career, including how he fought the Prince of Broadway, what it was like getting direction from Mel Brooks, and why Nathan Lane moonlights as Lewis' agent! Also, Lewis shines the spotlight on Shelley Winters, Neil Simon, and Groucho Marx! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 Lewis' book, Acting Foolish, can be purchased here: http://amzn.to/2pLxtlP

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Who's Who of the Broadway Senior Home, ventriloquists on radio, the mutual love of Unsolved Musical Mysteries, Ethel and Elaine share a leading man, and the President sings! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Tony Award winner Ted Sperling is one of Broadway's most sought after music directors. His brilliance and versatility have been on display in numerous Broadway musicals including Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, South Pacific; Guys and Dolls, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Kiss of the Spider Woman, My Favorite Year, Falsettos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Les Misérables, Roza, and Sunday in the Park with George. Now, Ted puts down the baton to discuss his career with Rob and Kevin. Ted pulls back the curtain on his career, including how a college production brought him to the attention of Stephen Sondheim, what it was like to play aboard the Titanic, and why Lady in the Dark needs a major Broadway revival! Also, Ted shines the spotlight on Victoria Clark, Ahrens & Flaherty, and Adam Guettel! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 A big thank you to Michelle Tabnick of Michelle Tabnick PR for arranging this interview.

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Odd marketing, SNL does theatre, political correctness in musical theatre, Hal Prince tackles racism, and Ethel Merman sings Nirvana.

Sue Frost is one of the most inspirational producers working on Broadway. In addition to her indefatigable generosity, Sue is one of the theatre's loudest advocates for new musicals. In addition to the Tony Award winning Memphis, Sue also produced Make Me A Song, First Date, Doctor Zhivago, and one of Behind the Curtain's favorite musicals, this season's Come From Away. Sue pulls back the curtain on her career, including how a train ride to Washington DC cemented her journey, what was the impetus to produce Come From Away, and why she refunded 1,506 people in one night! Also, Sue walks us through the process of producing a new musical! AND, Sue shines the spotlight on Chita Rivera, Donny Osmond, and Doug Henning, who could make an entire audience disappear! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Rob and Kevin debate leaving shows at intermission and "second act"-ing a show. Plus, Ann Miller's fourth wall, Bob Fosse's debut, Sammy Davis Jr comes to Broadway, and Freddie Martinez makes a come back. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

"I had such a great time with those two sessions, I'm wondering if you'd like to do a third. With Miss Saigon opening in March, I wouldn't mind doing a detailed description about how that show was written. There's a real story there and it's never been told. " And with that email Rob and Kevin quickly secured a location to sit down and hear Tony Award winner Richard Maltby Jr look back on the creation of Miss Saigon. Richard pulls back the curtain on the creation of Miss Saigon, including how a stage manager got him onto Miss Saigon, what was the controversy behind Jonathan Pryce's casting, and why Miss Saigon needed a revival in 2017! Also, Richard shines the spotlight on Cameron Mackintosh, Lea Salonga, and Nick Hytner! Note: Due to supernatural forces beyond our control, Rob's mic cuts out towards the end. It was either a glitch or the ghost of David Belasco being mischevious. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Celebrating four legends who are no longer with us! Plus, Rob and Kevin recount some of the most bizarre theatre they have ever seen. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

The Secret Service might make her nervous but it doesn't stop the wonderful Anita Gillette from telling all in this fascinating interview. Anita invited Rob and Kevin over to her apartment to look back on her Broadway credits including Gypsy, All-American, Mr. President, Cabaret, and many others. Anita pulls back the curtain on her career, including how Irving Berlin dealt with critics, what it was like to work on the 1 performance flop Kelly, and why David Merrick sent her a bill! Also, Anita shines the spotlight on Neil Simon, Gower Champion, and Ethel Merman! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Nathan Lane needs a Nyquil & Mark Twain needs a melody! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Yes, he has directed some of entertainment's greatest comedians, including Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Alec Baldwin, and Jim Carrey BUT its onstage where Don Scardino first made a name for himself. As one of Broadway's most sought after young actors, he appeared in such cult musicals as Angel, King of Hearts, and Park! But, then he donned his directing cap to bring to life A Few Good Men, Lennon, and countless others! Don pulls back the curtain on his career, including how he made Meryl Streep's only unreleased film, what it was like auditioning for Richard Rodgers, and why Yoko Ono gave him permission to direct Lennon! Also, Don shines the spotlight on Aaron Sorkin, Al Pacino, and Victor Garber! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: Revisiting an obscure Frank Loesser & praising the genius of Scott Siegel Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

The words "Just Do It" should be emblazoned across the office walls of Tony Award winning producer Barry Weissler. On a beautiful Spring day, Barry invited Rob and Kevin into his offices to discuss his career and how he produced the revivals of Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, and Grease and gave power to new shows like The Scottsboro Boys, Falsettos, and Waitress. Barry pulls back the curtain on his career, including how a Tijuana bullfight put his life into focus, what was Shakespeare in the Shopping Mall, and why no one wanted Chicago! Also, Barry shines the spotlight on Anthony Quinn, James Earl Jones, and Kander & Ebb! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. This Week: The wicked tongue of Bea Arthur & the golden voice of Audra McDonald. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to patreon.com and search Behind The Curtain: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4