News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

InDepth InterView: InReview 2013 - All The Highlights!

By: Dec. 31, 2013
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

While more than 50 InDepth InterViews were conducted in the 2013 calendar year and it is impossible to choose favorites, today we are highlighting some of the most uniquely arresting and singularly revealing conversations featured in BroadwayWorld's most popular and expansive interview series - including Patti LuPone, Darren Criss, Josh Groban, Audra McDonald, Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim, Joan Rivers, Jeremy Jordan, Megan Hilty, Bebe Neuwirth and many more!

Some People

Ranging from Broadway legends to film icons to music makers, directors, producers, writers and more, this year's spate of InDepth InterViews varied in topic, subject and genre more than perhaps any other year since the series kicked off in 2010. Taking a look back at the list of participants is particularly humbling on a personal level, having had the pleasure of conversing with such a wide variety of film and theatre luminaries over the course of 2013 - and having been privileged enough to showcase each and every one in a relaxed, conversational manner, yet with a relatively comprehensive examination of their careers thus far provided, too. While some subjects may have been more forthright and open than others in what they were willing to share, I can attest that all generously offered much more than the mere minimum expected of individuals in such a position - with the vast majority of them displaying overwhelming graciousness and incredible depth of perspective in their more often than not riveting and vastly illuminating discussions. Indeed, the sheer amount of stories to be cherished, vivid memories shared and invaluable insights offered by the 50 or so brave souls in the hundreds of pages amassed this year in this column are certainly something to be grateful for and hopefully they shall provide a resource to future Broadway babies looking to find out a little more - or a lot, as the case may be - about their favorite creators and stars.

So, now, here are the most re-read-worthy standout InDepth InterViews of 2013 in my humble estimation!

January was highlighted by a career-spanning chat with one of the most anomalous and amusing pop culture figures in film or theatre history - "Pope Of Trash" himself, HAIRSPRAY creator John Waters.

/article/InDepth-InterView-John-Waters-Talks-HAIRSPRAY-IN-CONCERT-HAIRSPRAY-2-Favorite-Movie-Musicals-More-20130119

February featured a passionate vocalist and performer celebrated the world over for his many multi-platinum albums and sold-out concert tours - Josh Groban.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Josh-Groban-Discusses-ALL-THAT-ECHOES-Album-Live-Concert-Event-Plus-CHESS-on-Broadway-GLEE-More-20130204

One of the most recognizable and respected Broadway leading ladies of the modern era was also spotlighted on this site for the very first time in February, the iconic Patti LuPone.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Exclusive-Patti-LuPone-Talks-FAR-AWAY-PLACES-54-Below-PARKER-Broadway-Hollywood-More-20130207

An instantly familiar face seen in everything from MEET THE FOCKERS to FOLLIES, theatrical grande dame Blythe Danner also graced the column in the Valentine's Day Month.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Blythe-Danner-Talks-NICE-WORK-IF-YOU-CAN-GET-IT-FOCKERS-Broadway-Hollywood-More-20130216

March brought with it the coolest and one of the most classic comedians of them all - the one and only Joan Rivers, in a dish session with savoring.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Joan-Rivers-Talks-JOAN-MELISSA-JOAN-KNOWS-BEST-FASHION-POLICE-SALLY-MARR-Revival-More-20130309

The month continued with the most successful producer in theatrical history sharing his candid insights - Cameron Mackintosh.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Exclusive-Cameron-Mackintosh-Talks-LES-MISERABLES-Onstage-Onscreen-Plus-PHANTOM-OLIVER-MISS-SAIGON-BARNUM-More-20130325

Broadway and SMASH star Megan Hilty gave us the 411 on her solo album as well as her many current and upcoming plans in a convivial and compelling chat.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Exclusive-Megan-Hilty-Talks-IT-HAPPENS-ALL-THE-TIME-Album-Plus-SMASH-WICKED-DOROTHY-OF-OZ-More-20130327

Coming to a close with one of the biggest Broadway breakout stars in music history, "Angel Of Music" Sarah Brightman shared her perspectives that month, as well.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Sarah-Brightman-Talks-New-DREAMCHASER-Album-Plus-PHANTOM-Memories-Lloyd-Webber-More-20130330

Another mega-musical superstar started off April with a bang thanks to the original Jean Valjean, concept album Che and workshop Phantom himself, Colm Wilkinson.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Exclusive-Colm-Wilkinson-Talks-LES-MISERABLES-PHANTOM-EVITA-Concerts-A-Return-to-the-Stage-20130404

April also introduced us to rising stage and screen superstar Jeremy Jordan byway of one of the year's lengthiest interviews.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Jeremy-Jordan-Talks-NY-Pops-THE-WIZARD-I-Schwartz-Gala-SMASH-LAST-FIVE-YEARS-Film-NEWSIES-More-20130406

With versatile leading man like Julian Ovenden we got the scoop on Sondheim, DOWNTON ABBEY, SMASH and even more.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Julian-Ovenden-Talks-RODGERS-HAMMERSTEIN-AT-THE-MOVIES-SUNDAY-In-Paris-DOWNTON-ABBEY-SMASH-1ST-NIGHT-More-20130420

Plus, April also gave us another of the year's most comprehensive pieces with stage stalwart Alison Fraser's delicious insights on her career.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Alison-Fraser-Talks-LOVE-THERAPY-Plus-FALSETTOS-SECRET-GARDEN-GYPSY-Web-Series-Upcoming-Solo-Shows-More-20130427

EGOT recipient Rita Moreno lit up May in a major way with tales from her incomparable life on Broadway and in Hollywood.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Rita-Moreno-Talks-New-Memoir-Broadway-Hollywood-Upcoming-Projects-More-20130505

Multi-award-winning director/choreographer Susan Stroman discussed both of her entries in the 2013-14 Best Musical Tony Award race.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Susan-Stroman-Talks-PBS-Mel-Brooks-Doc-BIG-FISH-BULLETS-OVER-BROADWAY-SCOTTSBORO-BOYS-In-LAUK-BLAZING-SADDLES-More-20130519

Next, five-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald shared some astute observations about projects past, present and future.

/article/Exclusive-InDepth-InterView-Audra-McDonald-Talks-GO-BACK-HOME-Album-PBS-Special-MARLENE-DIETRICHS-ABC-Upcoming-Projects-More-20130524

So, too, did GLEE star Matthew Morrison give us a look into his Broadway history as well as current TV, recording and concert stage activities.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Matthew-Morrison-Talks-New-CDPBS-Special-WHERE-IT-ALL-BEGAN-Plus-GLEE-Broadway-Memories-Upcoming-Gigs-More-20130601

Carolee Carmello imparted her well-won wisdom on her astoundingly wide range of roles to date in our lengthy conversation.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Carolee-Carmello-Talks-NIGHT-OF-A-THOUSAND-JUDYS-Plus-SCANDALOUS-SMASH-TUCK-EVERLASTING-More-20130615

June continued with acclaimed composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa taking a lingering look back at his awe-inspiring oeuvre.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Michael-John-LaChiusa-Talks-GIANT-Upcoming-Projects-A-Career-Retrospective-20130623

Charismatic leading man Norm Lewis generously gave us some fascinating behind the scenes tales of his stunningly vast assortment of parts to date in August.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Norm-Lewis-Talks-THE-TEMPEST-LES-MIZ-SCANDAL-Broadway-Memories-Future-Plans-More-20130817

The tail-end of August also brought with it iconic rock n roller Meat Loaf sharing stories from his legendary collaborative history with theatrical rock legend Jim Steinman and more.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Meat-Loaf-Talks-New-Las-Vegas-Residency-Broadway-Hollywood-Upcoming-Album-More-20130831

Actress-cum-director Maria Friedman and the man behind the music and lyrics himself, Stephen Sondheim, graciously granted us a glimpse of the process in bringing a once-misunderstood musical to the big screen.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Maria-Friedman-Talks-MERRILY-WE-ROLL-ALONG-From-Stage-To-Screen-Plus-Sondheim-Comments-20131018

Last month, GLEE breakout star and Broadway headliner Darren Criss supplied us with a stirring analysis of his passion for theatre and performing.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Darren-Criss-Talks-GLEE-Season-Five-SIX-BY-SONDHEIM-HBO-Doc-Broadway-Hollywood-Dream-Roles-More-20131107

In the last month of 2013, we have been lucky enough to enjoy some spectacular year-end cappers, such as the recent chat with original RENT star Anthony Rapp.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Anthony-Rapp-Talks-PSYCH-THE-MUSICAL-IFTHEN-RENT-Legacy-Upcoming-Projects-More-20131214

Also in December, multi-award-winner Bebe Neuwirth provided an all-access pass to her idiosyncratic career onstage and onscreen.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Bebe-Neuwirth-Talks-New-STORIES-IN-NYC-LIVE-AT-54-BELOW-Album-BroadwayHollywood-Memories-More-20131221

Lastly, the men behind the musical event of the year, THE SOUND OF MUSIC: LIVE!, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, previewed all of their many upcoming projects in not one, but two major InDepth InterViews over the course of 2013, first in February and again this month.

/article/InDepth-InterView-Craig-Zadan-Neil-Meron-Talk-2013-Academy-Awards-Scoops-Broadway-Hollywood-Future-Projects-More-20130221

/article/InDepth-InterView-Craig-Zadan-Neil-Meron-Talk-2013-Academy-Awards-Scoops-Broadway-Hollywood-Future-Projects-More-20130221

Well, well, well, what a head-spinning year of InDepth InterViews this unquestionably was - and, believe it or not, this not even half of the total chats!

Be sure to check out all of the InDepth InterView series to date - nearly 200 entries - available here.

Here's celebrating a tremendous 2013, looking ahead to an even more fabulous 2014! Happy New Year!



Reader Reviews

To post a comment, you must register and login.






Videos