Rephonic
Artwork for Backstage Babble

Backstage Babble

cbroadwaypodcast
Broadway
Theater Industry
Tony Awards
Theater
Elena Shaddow
Days Of Wine and Roses
The Notebook
Sweet Smell Of Success
Les Misérables
Melba Moore
Covid-19
Acting
Water For Elephants
Grey Gardens
AIDS Epidemic
Television Production
Theater Criticism
Comedy
Prayer For the French Republic
Betsy Aidem's Career

A new podcast interviewing professionals in the theater industry about themselves, their careers, and the people they’ve worked with along the way.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes268Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Backstage Babble

Latest Episodes

Today, I’m thrilled to announce a very special 2025 wrap-up episode of Backstage Babble. 25 former guests, including legendary actors, writers, and directors, returned to the show to share three top theater memories from the last 25 years, and the re... more

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 ada... more

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Broadway veteran Annie McGreevey. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her wonderful career, including a memorable note from Bob Fosse during SWEET CHARITY, standing by for Ethel Merman in CALL ME M... more

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, ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times

Recent Guests

Annie McGreevey
Broadway veteran known for her performances in *Annie*, *Company*, and *Sweeney Todd*
Episode: Annie McGreevey
Jerry Zaks
Four-time Tony-winning director known for Broadway productions
Broadway
Episode: Jerry Zaks
Darko Tresnjak
Broadway director known for 'Anastasia' and 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'
Episode: Darko Tresnjak
Chris Sarandon
Oscar nominee and Broadway star.
Episode: Chris Sarandon
Carmen Cusack
Two-time Tony nominee, Broadway star
Episode: Carmen Cusack
Will Brill
Tony Award winner known for his performances on Broadway in shows like Stereophonic and Oklahoma.
Episode: Will Brill
John Benjamin Hickey
Tony-winning actor and director, known for his roles on Broadway in 'Love! Valour! Compassion', 'Cabaret', and more.
Episode: John Benjamin Hickey
Frank Fraver Verlizzo
Broadway poster artist known for designing iconic theater artwork.
Episode: Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo
Ann Morrison
Broadway veteran and performer known for her roles in various musicals including 'Merrily We Roll Along' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Episode: Ann Morrison

Host

Charles Kirsch
Host known for his engaging interviews with theater professionals, showcasing insights into their careers and the theater industry.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • So interesting, Bravo!

    I learned so much! I have a very short attention span, but this podcast kept me listening the whole time. Charles is so captivating, and speaks with such fluency and his guests are amazing!! Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to listen to the next episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ireviewet10!
    United States2 months ago
  • A listening treat!

    I only recently discovered this podcast. I have so many shows to catch up with! Charles is a most knowledgeable host. He asks insightful questions that shows he has done his homework. The guests are the cream of the theatrical world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billhaven
    United States7 months ago
  • Easy Listening

    Really comprehensive interviews! I am new to the theater world and I am enjoying this immensely

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rachforce
    United States7 months ago
  • Great show!! Wonderfully revealing and entertaining!!

    I’ve heard every episode and can’t wait for more! Brilliant, knowledgeable and provocative questions!Revealing and insightful answers! Wonderful show that brings out the best in so many Broadway stars!! Great insights and stories!! Can’t wait to hear more!! My favorite podcast!! Brings all areas of the theater to life through intelligent and knowledgeable questions and conversation. Always rewarding liatening!

    I agree with this review! I learn something about the theater from every interview a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marniesal
    United Statesa year ago
  • The best guests interviewed by the host with the most!

    Charles Kirsch’s Backstage Babble is a wonderful window into theater through interviews with exciting new artists as well as legends/luminaries from Broadway’s past.

    And Charles Kirsch is the perfect host: engaging, attentive, and intuitive. He allows his guests the opportunity to tell their story and is never intrusive. It’s refreshing to encounter a young person so passionate about preserving and promoting theater’s rich history.

    If you love theater, this podcast represents the Who’s Who o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doug Cohen
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners often express excitement for new episodes and appreciate the blend of historical and contemporary perspectives on theater.
Overall, feedback is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the high quality of content and the passion displayed by the host.
Many reviews commend the selection of guests, praising their notable backgrounds and experiences in the theater industry.
The interviews are described as comprehensive and insightful, making the podcast a recommended source for theater enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Listeners appreciate the captivating and fluent communication style of the host, often highlighting his engaging approach to interviews.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Darko Tresnjak
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just starting out?
People starting out should really focus on reading scripts well, as it is essential for understanding the material for both directing and acting.
Darko Tresnjak
Q: How did having this dance experience affect the choreographers that you like to work with now?
Having a background in dance makes me more respectful of the process and the time it takes to choreograph effectively.
Darko Tresnjak
Q: How did you first become interested in theater?
It started when I directed an Olympic event with other children at the age of seven, which set me on the path to theater.
Trip Cullman
Q: What was your process like with both Joe and Mike in figuring out sort of what your role was as their assistant or associate?
Cullman focused on learning as much as possible from both directors, making himself indispensable while also providing comic relief during stressful rehearsals.
Trip Cullman
Q: How did you first become interested in theater? Growing up?
Cullman became interested in theater through experiences in New York City, where his parents took him to see plays, which helped him navigate adolescence and his identity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Backstage Babble

What is Backstage Babble about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast features engaging interviews with various professionals from the theater industry, providing insight into their personal journeys, careers, and collaborations. Interviews cover a wide range of topics including Broadway productions, acting techniques, the evolution of theater, and the experiences of navigating the performing arts landscape. Unique to this series is the focus on both renowned legends and emerging talents, reflecting a diverse array of perspectives within theater. Throughout episodes, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic process and an understanding of the challenges and triumphs experienced by those in the industry.

The host's ability to extract meaningful stories and insights from guests contri... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Backstage Babble?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Backstage Babble. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Backstage Babble and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Backstage Babble get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Backstage Babble, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Backstage Babble?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Backstage Babble, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Backstage Babble have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Backstage Babble has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Backstage Babble?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Backstage Babble:

1. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
2. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
3. Fresh Air
4. Pivot
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Backstage Babble are there?

Backstage Babble launched 5 years ago and published 268 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Backstage Babble?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Backstage Babble?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Backstage Babble from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Backstage Babble?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Backstage Babble. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Backstage Babble?

Recent guests on Backstage Babble include:

1. Annie McGreevey
2. Jerry Zaks
3. Darko Tresnjak
4. Chris Sarandon
5. Carmen Cusack
6. Will Brill
7. John Benjamin Hickey
8. Frank Fraver Verlizzo

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days