BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records with Special Guest Varla Jean Merman!
By: Ben Rimalower Jan. 20, 2020
BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you the newest episode of our first self-produced podcast - Ben Rimalower's Broken Records, The Albums You Wouldn't Shut Up About. On each weekly episode Rimalower and co-host Daniel Nolen chat with guests about one album that they were obsessed with, how they discovered it, what it led them to, where they were in life when it impacted them and how it's stayed with them since.
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor, singer, and drag legend Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) about the 1966 cast recording of "The Mad Show." They also discuss Coco Peru, Frank DeCaro, Heklina, Joanne Worley, Linda Lavin, "The First Wives Club," Carol Burnett, Sandy Duncan, Barbra Streisand, Ann Reinking, Leslie Jordan, Marisol Montalvo, and Charles Busch. Varla talks about performing the role of Mary Sunshine in "Chicago" on Broadway, and shares stories about working in Provincetown with queens such as Jinkx Monsoon, Peaches Christ, Liza Lott, and BenDeLaCreme. In addition to her hilarious onstage performances, Varla is also known for her work in Richard Day's beloved 2003 comedy film "Girls Will Be Girls."
Subsequent episodes will appear weekly on BroadwayWorld as well as on all your favorite podcast sites from iTunes to Spotify.
Season One will feature a plethora of award winning stars from the stage and screen - including Cesar Villavicencio (Pixie Aventura), Bridget Everett, Scott Wittman, Telly Leung, Michael Musto, Natalie Douglas, Kevin Adams, Carolee Carmello, Linda Eder, Russell King (Miss Richfield 1981), Jeffrey Roberson (Varla Jean Merman), Faith Prince, Laura Benanti, Michael R. Jackson and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps. You'll learn all about the favorite artists and albums that inspired them with a diverse list ranging from Judy Garland to Prince, Frank Sinatra to Patti LuPone, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Tori Amos, Jesus Christ Superstar, Liza Minnelli and more along with behind the scenes stories and show business gossip. The podcast features a theme song written by Lance Horne.
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