 The American Theatre Wing, in association with XM Satellite Radio, presents Downstage Center a weekly theatrical interview show, featuring the top artists working in theatre, both on and Off-Broadway and around the country.Primary Format :
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Margot Harley (#135) American Theatre Wing Downstage Center
Margot Harley, co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Acting Company, talks about the troupe's origins as an outgrowth of the acting program at The Juilliard School in the early 70s, the challenges of touring serious drama as an ongoing series of one-night-stands around the country, and the state of actor training today; she also provides some insight into how her co-founder John Houseman made his professional acting debut so late in his illustrious life in the theatre. Original ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Barbara Walsh (#134) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterBarbara Walsh, Joanne in the John Doyle revival of "Company", talks about taking on a role so indelibly associated with Elaine Stritch, explains why her character doesn't really "join the band" in this production and offers her own suggestion of how "Forbidden Broadway" should spoof her; reflects on shows she appeared in first at regional theatres that made it to Broadway ("Company" at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and "Falsettos" at Hartford Stage) and those that didn't ("The Rhythm Clu ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
John McDaniel (#29) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterMusic Director John McDaniel talks about his first producing project, "Brooklyn The Musical"; reflects on his time working with Rosie O'Donnell on her talk show, and gives some insight into the work of musical directors. Original air date – November 12, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Rebecca Luker (#133) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterRebecca Luker confesses to not reading the original "Mary Poppins" books despite her role as Mrs. Banks in the current Broadway musical version; recalls her Broadway debut understudying and then assuming the role of Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera"; talks about her great experience appearing in a (almost completely) non-singing role in A.R. Gurney's "Indian Blood"; and explains why she's exploring singing in a register lower than her pristine and acclaimed soprano voice. Original air ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Blair Brown (#132) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterBlair Brown discusses her role on stage in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of Sarah Ruhl's "The Clean House", and her part in the play winning the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Award; explains how she ended up going to drama school and beginning her career in Canada; recalls her role in the triumphant Richard Foreman production of "The Threepenny Opera" and her anguish over the brief Broadway life of "The Secret Rapture"; and considers the experience of humanizing so-called "intel ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Actors' Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (#131) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterThe leaders of the two best known theatre-based charitable group, Joe Benincasa of The Actors' Fund and Tom Viola of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, talk about the wide range of work done by their two organizations, their origins more than 100 years apart, the symbiotic relationship between them, and how they manage to produce such elaborate entertainments as a means of raising funds for their worthy causes. Original air date – December 22, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Daphne Rubin-Vega (#130) American Theatre Wing Downstage Center"Rent" veteran Daphne Rubin Vega talks about the challenge of tackling the "classic" music of "Les Miserables" after being known for rock-oriented show music, and why she feels a bit lonely as Fantine in "Les Miz"; chronicles how she transitioned from fine arts to rock and roll to theatre; recalls the origins of "Rent" at New York Theatre Workshop; and why she wanted to take a two month break from her fourth Broadway show in order to do a four-character play with LAByrinth Theatre Company i ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Ayesha Dharker and Manu Narayan (#8) American Theatre Wing Downstage Center"Bombay Dreams" stars Manu Narayan and Ayesha Dharker discuss bringing Bollywood to Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of "Bombay Dreams" during the show's original New York run. Original air date – June 11, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Stephen Spinella (#129) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterTwo-time Tony winner Stephen Spinella talks about joining the youthful cast of "Spring Awakening" as the only male adult in the show, and why he's spent so much time reading the original Wedekind play from which the show is adapted; charts his long-time friendship with Tony Kushner from its start as a college-era intellectual debate through their mutual triumphs with "Angels In America", and surveys his works in stage classics both ancient ("Electra") and modern ("A View From The Bridge"). ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Neil Patrick Harris and Marc Kudisch (#5) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterCo-conspirators Neil Patrick Harris and Marc Kudisch consider their roles in the oft-delayed Broadway premiere of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" and the expectations and challenges of bringing that politically charged work to the stage in post-9/11 America. Original air date – May 21, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
William Finn (#128) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterComposer William Finn explains how he became involved in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and what drew him to the show's quirky characters; charts the development of the "Marvin" trilogy, including "March Of The Falsettos" and "Falsettoland", and talks about the differing approaches of James Lapine and Graciela Daniele to that material; tells the story of his own early-1990s medical crisis and how that became the basis for "A New Brain"; and recounts his extreme trepidation abo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Roger Bart and Brad Oscar (#3) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterBrad Oscar and Roger Bart, stalwarts from the original cast of "The Producers", talk about their parts in the creation of the hit musical and the experience of then shifting to new roles, with Oscar stepping into Nathan Lane's shoes as Max and Bart taking over for Matthew Broderick as Leo. Original air date – May 7, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
John Doyle (#127) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDirector John Doyle talks about the development of his unique actor-musician approach to classic musicals, including the current production of "Company" and the recent "Sweeney Todd"; why he's not worried about being seen as a "one-trick pony"; how he matches instruments to characters; why we won't see him directing "West Side Story" in his trademark style; and why he's feeling more pressure now than he did during his Broadway debut. Original air date – November 24, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Martha Banta and Carolee Carmello (#38) American Theatre Wing Downstage Center"Mamma Mia!" star Carolee Carmello talks about her performances in "Parade", "Falsettos" and "Kiss Me Kate", among others, and along with "Mamma Mia!"'s resident director Martha Banta, talks about the process of taking over a role. Original air date – January 14, 2005.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sheldon Harnick (#126) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterLyricist Sheldon Harnick explains the genesis of "The Apple Tree" as he prepares for its first Broadway revival, recalls his days as a writer of revue songs and his early encouragement from famed broadcaster Dave Garroway, recounts how he began his collaboration with composer Jerry Bock, shares why he's particularly proud of the title song from "She Loves Me", and reflects on the experience of hearing his words to "Fiddler On The Roof" sung in Scandinavian languages. Original air date – N ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Barry and Fran Weissler (#125) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterOn the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their Broadway production of "Chicago", producers Fran and Barry Weissler reflect on 10 years with "Chicago" not just in the U.S., but internationally; recall their start producing tours of classic plays for Catholic schools in New Jersey; take exception to the application of the word 'revival' to their productions; and talk about the challenge of producing in the glare of tabloid attention. Original air date – November 10, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Joe DiPietro (#22) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterIn advance of his "new Elvis" musical "All Shook Up", author Joe DiPietro talks about the process of incorporating pop songs into musical theatre, and reflects on the never-ending success of his show, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change". Original air date – September 24, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Michael McKean (#19) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterFilm comedy veteran Michael McKean talks about his return to his stage roots, and the challenge of filling Harvey Fierstein's shoes (and girdle), in "Hairspray", in an interview which preceded McKean's sudden run of New York shows including "The Pajama Game". Original air date– August 27, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Dana Ivey (#37) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDuring limited engagement at Lincoln Center Theater as Mrs. Malaprop in the classic comedy "The Rivals", stage veteran and multiple Tony Award nominee Dana Ivey recalls creating the title role in "Driving Miss Daisy" and contemplates her frequent typecasting as difficult, humorless women. Original air date– January 7, 2005.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Swoosie Kurtz (#124) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterSwoosie Kurtz talks about tackling her first role in a play by George Bernard Shaw in "Heartbreak House"; how she went from Air Force brat to the only American student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art; her major stage appearances in the original "Uncommon Women and Others", "Fifth of July" and "The House of Blue Leaves"; and why she personally raised $250,000 to insure that "Frozen" made the leap to Broadway. Original air date– October 27, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Jefferson Mays (#10) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterAlthough Jefferson Mays continues his international appearances in his Tony-winning role in Doug Wright's "I Am My Own Wife", this edition of "Downstage Center" finds him reflecting on his one-man triumph early in the Broadway run of the acclaimed show. Original air date – June 25, 2004.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Marsha Norman (#123) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterPulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman compares the gathering and rituals shared by theatre and houses of worship; explains why she could never have written "'night Mother" now that she's had children; talks about her specific goals in crafting the lyrics for "Lily's Eyes" in "The Secret Garden"; considers whether playwriting has actual rules and can be taught; and compares the story of "The Color Purple" to the classic tale of Cinderella. Original air date– October 20, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Donna McKechnie (#122) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith her autobiography "Time Step" now in bookstores, Donna McKechnie reminisces about coming to New York in the late 50s with dreams of being a ballet star; her first Broadway show, "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying", with choreographer Bob Fosse and dance captain Gwen Verdon; being part of the ensemble of the groundbreaking "Company", and the process that led to her Tony-winning role as Cassie in the original "A Chorus Line". Original air date– October 13, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Eve Ensler (#121) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterActivist-author-actress Eve Ensler discusses her newest work, "The Treatment", part of the Impact Festival at The Culture Project in New York, and the place of political theatre in today's America; recalls the phenomenal success of her signature work, "The Vagina Monologues"; talks about the experience of leading a writing group at the Bedford Hills Correctional Center for Women; and shares her excitement over the publication of her first book, "At Last: Losing It in a Security Obsessed Wor ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Simon Callow (#120) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterRenaissance man Simon Callow talks about "Hello Americans", the second book in his multi-volume biography of Orson Welles and his ongoing inquiry into Welles' life; explains how writing was his first passion, long before he began acting; considers how his manifesto against a director-driven theatre in his book "Being an Actor" has been tempered since he began directing himself; and recalls the experience of creating the role of Mozart in "Amadeus" opposite the legendary Paul Scofield. Origi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Philip Bosco and Boyd Gaines (#40) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith a national tour of the classic jury room drama "12 Angry Men" about to embark on a national tour, stars from the original company -- Boyd Gaines and Philip Bosco -- talk about recreating the overheated atmosphere of Reginald Rose's much adapted drama for its Broadway debut. Original air date – January 28, 2005.
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Recording Cast Albums (#35) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterThe challenging business decisions that decide whether you get to hear your favorite musicals on CD is the topic of a roundtable discussion with three experts in the field of cast album recording: Kurt Deutsch of Sh-K-Boom & Ghostlight Records, Brian Drutman of Decca/Universal, and Bill Rosenfield, consultant to RCA-BMG. Original air date – December 24, 2004.
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Isaac Robert Hurwitz and Kris Stewart (#119) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterNew York Musical Theatre Festival founders Kris Stewart and Isaac Robert Hurwitz talk about the original impulse to start the festival and place it in the context of New York City's other theatrical festivals, explain their producing process and the different categories of participating shows, and consider the effect of Manhattan media attention on their musicals which are, so often, at the beginning of their stage lives. Original air date – September 15, 2006.
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Tom Jones (#118) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith the world's longest-running musical, "The Fantasticks", back on stage in New York after a short hiatus, author Tom Jones recounts the time-honored tale of how he and Harvey Schmidt created this theatrical legend; reflects on their subsequent ventures on Broadway, including the soon-to-be-revived "110 In The Shade"; and talks about the hubris that surrounded their creation of a theatrical development workshop, the Portfolio Studio, in the wake of the early successes. Original air date â ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Eric Schaeffer (#117) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterEric Schaeffer, founder and artistic director of Virginia's Signature Theatre, discusses the company's growth and acclaim as a home for musical theatre in the Washington DC area; the company's impending move from their 136-garage space into a two-theatre state of the art facility; how he's developed relationships with theatre royalty like Stephen Sondheim and Cameron Mackintosh; his view on the rumored Broadway move of his Kennedy Center "Mame"; and why he's looking forward to revisiting th ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Ruben Santiago-Hudson (#116) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterTony Award-winning actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson talks about his responsibility as part of the fraternity of "August Wilson actors"; his desire to direct the complete 10-play Wilson cycle of plays, having begun with the two in which he appeared on Broadway ("Seven Guitars" and "Gem of the Ocean"); the experience of adapting his own life into "Lackawanna Blues" for both stage and television, and the challenges of producing work which portrays the diversity of African-American life and issues i ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Hinton Battle (#115) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterHinton Battle, a three-time Tony winner for "Sophisticated Ladies", "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Miss Saigon", surveys his career from his Broadway debut at age 15 in "The Wiz" to a trio of new projects: choreographing the Outkast film "Idlewild", directing and choreographing a stage version of the "Evil Dead" movies, and appearing on screen in the much anticipated "Dreamgirls". Original air date – August 18, 2006.
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Charles Isherwood and Michael Kuchwara (#20) American Theatre Wing Downstage Centerhe work of a theatre critic is explored with two of America's most-read theatre journalists: Michael Kuchwara> of the Associated Press and Charles Isherwood of Variety -- the latter just as it was announced he'd be joining the staff of the New York Times. Original air date – September 3, 2004.
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John Selya and Ashley Tuttle (#14) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterJohn Selya and Ashley Tuttle, original cast members of the dance musical "Movin' Out", discuss the development of Twyla Tharp's unique show, the difference between classical dance and the requirements of this new musical, and the physical rigors of a life of dance. Original air date – July 23, 2004.
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Mark Lamos (#114) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDirector Mark Lamos explores his affinity for the W.A.S.P. world portrayed by playwright A.R. Gurney as he directs the world premiere of "Indian Blood" at New York's Primary Stages, and talks about his long tenure as artistic director of the Hartford Stage Company, the experience of free-lancing after nearly two decades at the helm of that company, and the differing challenges of directing theatre and opera. Original air date – August 11, 2006.
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Stephanie D'Abruzzo and John Tartaglia (#4) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterBefore "Avenue Q"'s Tony Awards triumph, original cast members Stephanie D'Abruzzo and John Tartaglia chronicle the show's journey from workshop to Broadway, share their own paths to leading roles in an unlikely hit musical, and talk about their hopes that they'll be seen as actors -- separate from the puppets they bring to life. Original air date – May 14, 2004.
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Michael Ritchie (#34) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterMichael Ritchie, artistic director of Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, talks about taking the reins of the city's largest theatre organization and considers his tenure as head of the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival in this interview that caught Ritchie amidst his transition between these two esteemed companies. Original air date – December 17, 2004.
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Garry Hynes (#113) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith the "DruidSynge" circle of plays visiting briefly in the United States, director Garry Hynes describes the process of melding six works by John Millington Synge into a marathon theatrical event; talks about the founding and development of the Druid Theatre Company, her artistic home in Ireland; considers the effect of "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" and her Tony Award (the first for a woman director) on both the Druid and her own career; and surveys the current crop of up and coming Iris ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Richard Thomas (#26) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDuring the Broadway run of Michael Frayn's "Democracy", Emmy winner Richard Thomas talks about his decision to move back to his hometown of New York after 30 years on the west coast, his acclaimed appearance in Terrence McNally's "The Stendhal Syndrome", and the perennial question about how his fame from "The Waltons" meshes with his personal passion for classical stage work. Original air date – October 22, 2004.
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Bartlett Sher (#111) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterAs "The Light In The Piazza" prepares for its national tour, director Bartlett Sher talks about the experience of living with and working on the show for more than three years, explains his approach to "Awake And Sing" and why he felt it belonged in the same theatre where its premiered 70 years ago, and professes his amazement at the enthusiastic response in the Seattle community to the Intiman Theatre (where Sher is artistic director) receiving the 2006 Regional Theatre Tony Award. Origina ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Thomas Schumacher (#17) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterLate in the run of Disney's "Aida" and two years before "Tarzan" began swinging on 46th Street, Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, discusses the Disney approach to theatrical production and the process that brought "Beauty And The Beast" and "The Lion King" to stage life—and brought Disney to Broadway. Original air date – August 13, 2004.
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Elena K. Holy (#18) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterElena K. Holy, artistic director of New York's International Fringe Festival, discusses the genesis of the Fringe as part of the Off-Off-Broadway Present Company, and its explosive growth as a vehicle for new work in New York, amidst the endless logistics of the 2004 Festival. Original air date – August 20, 2004.
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Brian Stokes Mitchell (#110) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith his debut solo CD now on sale, Brian Stokes Mitchell ranges over his career, from his first performances with a youth theatre in San Diego to seven years on television's "Trapper John M.D." to David Merrick's production of "Oh, Kay" to his rapid succession of leading roles in "Ragtime", "Kiss Me Kate" and "Man Of La Mancha". Original air date – July 14, 2006.
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John Barrowman (#21) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterAmerican-born but acclaimed in England for his work in musicals, visited Downstage Center in 2004 to talk about his trans-Atlantic career, his new solo album, and the experience of playing Billy Crocker in two acclaimed London revivals of - 15 years apart. Original air date – September 17, 2004.
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Des McAnuff (#33) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterWith Des McAnuff the toast of Broadway for "Jersey Boys" and set to join the artistic leadership at Canada's Stratford Festival, this Downstage Center interview from late 2004 captures the acclaimed director during the runs of "700 Sundays" and "Dracula" - and the original La Jolla Playhouse engagement of "Jersey Boys". Original air date – December 10, 2004.
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Michael Mayer (#109) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDirector Michael Mayer explains the juxtaposition of turn of the 20th century German teenage angst with modern rock and roll in "Spring Awakening", recounts his first meeting with master playwright Arthur Miller before "A View From The Bridge", addresses why he felt "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" needed a freshening up for its Broadway revival, and shares the process that made Sutton Foster the star of "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Original air date – July 7, 2006.
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Harry Groener (#112) American Theatre Wing Downstage Center"Spamalot"'s newest king, Harry Groener, talks about the process of slipping into the cast (and the chain-mail costume) of the hit musical, recalls his Broadway debut in "Oklahoma" - including some diction notes from famed choreographer Agnes de Mille, describes a number cut from the original production of "Crazy For You", and considers why he's thought of as a "serious actor" on the West Coast but a musical comedy guy in New York City. Original air date – July 28, 2006.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Kathleen Marshall (#7) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterDirector-choreographer Kathleen Marshall discusses remounting "Wonderful Town" for Broadway following its resounding success at Encores! two seasons earlier, growing up in Pittsburgh with her director-choreographer brother Rob, and making the transition from choreographer to director. Original air date – June 4, 2004.
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Tonya Pinkins (#6) American Theatre Wing Downstage CenterTonya Pinkins takes listeners from the triumph of "Jelly's Last Jam" to the extraordinary personal challenges that faced her on her return to Broadway as the title character in Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's musical "Caroline, or Change". Original air date – May 28, 2004.
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