Atw - 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 in 2007. Original air date - December 15, 2006.

"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.

Two-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"). Original air date - December 8, 2006.

Co-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.

Composer 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 about the new revue of his songs, "Make Me A Song", during its debut in Connecticut. Original air date - December 1, 2006.

Brad 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.

Director 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.

"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.

Lyricist 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 - November 17, 2006.

On 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.

In 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.

Film 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.

During 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.

Swoosie 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.

Although 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.

Pulitzer 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.

With 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.

Activist-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 World". Original air date - October 6, 2006.

Renaissance 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. Original air date - September 29, 2006.

With 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.