Backstage Babble

cbroadwaypodcast

Broadway

Theater

Theater Industry

Acting

Tony Awards

Wicked

Choreography

New York

Rent

Shakespeare

Musicals

Juilliard

Career Development

Neil Simon

Theater Collaboration

Les Misérables

Death Of a Salesman

A Chorus Line

Stephen Sondheim

Susan Stroman

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

95 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	288	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Performing ArtsArts

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Stephen Spinella

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with two-time Tony winner Stephen Spinella, who is currently starring in Jerome at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including a transcendent experience ons... more

20 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 20 min

Elizabeth Stanley

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, who will be starring in the newly announced production of Disruption. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including John Rando’s mantra for ON ... more

13 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 5 min • Most popular

Jeremy Shamos

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with Tony nominee Jeremy Shamos, who will be starring in the newly announced revival of Awake and Sing. Tune in to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the experience of starring in ... more

4 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 22 min • Popular

Sarah Ruhl

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my interview with legendary playwright Sarah Ruhl. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her experience breaking the fourth wall in EURYDICE, telling her own story in LETTERS FROM MAX, ... more

29 May 2026 • 55 min

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners

Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Stanley

Tony-nominated Broadway actress

Episode: Elizabeth Stanley

Jeremy Shamos

Tony-nominated stage actor with a broad theater career

Actor

Episode: Jeremy Shamos

Sarah Ruhl

Playwright and author known for Eurydice, The Clean House, Becky Nurse Of Salem, and more

Playwright

Episode: Sarah Ruhl

Michael Hayden

Tony-nominated actor known for Broadway roles including Carousel, Cabaret, Angels In America, Festen

Episode: Michael Hayden

Deirdre O'Connell

Tony Award–winning actress, renowned for Dana H., The Front Page, and other stage roles

Episode: Deirdre O'Connell

Patricia Conolly

Veteran actress with extensive Broadway and international stage credits

Episode: Patricia Conolly

Danny Mefford

Broadway director and choreographer

Broadway productions including Spelling Bee and Bigfoot

Episode: Danny Mefford

Linda Emond

Three-time Tony nominee, Broadway actress known for Becky Shaw, Death Of A Salesman, Cabaret, 1776, Life X 3

Episode: Linda Emond

Sam Gold

Visionary director behind multiple Broadway and off-Broadway productions

Episode: Sam Gold

Host

Charles Kirsch

Host of Backstage Babble, known for engaging, thoughtful interviews with theatre professionals.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 95 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 States8 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 Statesa year ago
Easy Listening
Really comprehensive interviews! I am new to the theater world and I am enjoying this immensely
Apple Podcasts
5
rachforce
United Statesa year 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 States2 years 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 States2 years ago

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Listeners Say

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

Episodes are described as engaging, comprehensive, and deeply informative for theater lovers and industry newcomers alike.

Fans note the show reveals behind-the-scenes realities and career wisdom for aspiring artists.

Listeners praise the host for insightful, well-researched questions and strong interviews with top theater talents.

The host is commended for balancing respect for guests with probing, meaningful dialogue.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#221	United States/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#229	Canada/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#141	Germany/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#55	Argentina/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#86	Sweden/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#123	Brazil/Arts/Performing Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jeremy Shamos

Q: What was it like working on Corpus Christi in terms of controversy and audience reaction?

The play was surrounded by headlines and threats, yet the cast trusted the material and the process, which created a bold sense of ensemble purpose and a commitment to the work that resonated with audiences despite outside noise.

Jeremy Shamos

Q: How did you decide where to study and what motivated you to pursue NYU's program?

I wanted to be in New York where the theater scene felt alive, and NYU offered a practical path that connected me with agents and opportunities, even though it came with a tradeoff of a long, challenging road through the MFA program.

Sarah Ruhl

Q: And how did you decide where to go to college and all of that?

I was drawn to Brown for its creative writing program, imagined pursuing fiction and poetry first, but Paula Vogel's mentorship and support helped me see and pursue playwriting as my path.

Sarah Ruhl

Q: And now without further ado, here's Sarah Ruhl. Well, so I'd love to start us off by asking you how you first became interested in writing and how that first developed.

I've always written something since I was little, grew up around theater through my mother, and discovered writing more deeply when I met Paula Vogel in college, which steered me toward writing plays and developing a long, evolving practice.

Linda Emond

Q: What was your experience like working with Mike Nichols toward the end of his career?

He was generous, a storyteller who created an environment for collaboration; his mentorship and friendship deeply influenced my approach to performance and choice of roles.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Backstage Babble

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

A long-running interview series centered on theater professionals, exploring career paths, craft, training, and behind-the-scenes dynamics. Episodes commonly feature deep dives into acting method, directing and choreography process, collaboration with legendary mentors, and the realities of sustaining a life in live performance. Notable angles include training at prestigious programs, balancing iconic roles with personal artistry, and navigating changes in the theater industry post-pandemic. The show often highlights mentorship, ensemble work, and the evolution of stagecraft across Broadway and beyond, making it a rich resource for aspiring artists, casting directors, and theater fans seeking practical insights and inspirational career stor... more

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How many listeners does Backstage Babble get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Backstage Babble?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Backstage Babble:

1. Broadway Breakdown
2. Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
3. SmartLess
4. Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
5. The Playbill Podcast: A Show on Broadway

How many episodes of Backstage Babble are there?

Backstage Babble launched 6 years ago and published 288 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?

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What guests have appeared on Backstage Babble?

Recent guests on Backstage Babble include:

1. Elizabeth Stanley
2. Jeremy Shamos
3. Sarah Ruhl
4. Michael Hayden
5. Deirdre O'Connell
6. Patricia Conolly
7. Danny Mefford
8. Linda Emond

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.

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