Milling About

The Jets vs. The Sharks are back for another rumble at The Paper Mill Playhouse production of West Side Story running June 1- June 26. Host Robin Milling goes behind the scenes to chat with the cast. Michigan born Mikey Winslow (On The Town) as Riff  began his career on Broadway dancing in the ensemble of the 2009 revival of West Side Story. He tells Robin, “Working my way up to the gang. I was Baby John, Big Deal; I played Action and now here I am. Maybe someday I'll play Officer Krupke!” Natalie Cortez reprises her role as Anita. In the 2009 Broadway revival she was cast just after having her first child. She recalls, “Just do West Side Story to lose baby weight! I have a 10-month old so I'm dancing off the baby weight this time too!!” German Alexander (2010 national tour of West Side Story) describes his take on Bernardo. “He plays against his situation either through jokes, humor, or sex. Anything that gets in the way of his relationship with Anita, with Maria is a threat to him just like the Jets are.”

Harry Hamlin joins host Robin Milling from the Tribeca Film Festival to talk about his film Rebirth. It's the story of communication in the modern age and redefining yourself through self-actualization and EST-like retreats. Harry tells Robin he's familiar with pounding pillows amongst the guys to get frustrations out, and also welcomes marriage therapy with his wife Lisa Rinna to "keep their relationship on track and harmony in the household." Harry plays a sex guru in the film which he says was a perfect role for him at this stage in his career, which has recently included an older gay lover in Shameless and as ad executive Jim Cutler in Mad Men. At 64, Harry is certainly not resting on his laurels. Closing his bricks and mortar clothing store Belle Gray that he developed with Lisa, now available on QVC, has given him that freedom. He jokes that he's embracing his upcoming Medicare status! Listen to how he hopes to celebrate and what's in store for Harry Hamlin.

Graham Nash joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new solo album, 'This Path Tonight.' At 74 years old it's been quite the journey for Nash who celebrates several milestones including his 60th year in the business making music, leaving his home in Hawaii for New York City, and finding love again with Amy Grantham after separating from his wife of 38 years. He tells Robin the story of how they met and how she has become his personal photographer, contributing the solo photos you see here. Graham candidly talks about how the songs on his new CD are his most personal to date, sharing writing credit with producer Shane Fontayne, who has been a fan of Nash's since The Hollies. Nash never looks back he says, always living in the moment; but he is looking forward to a CSNY Broadway musical and many more years of songwriting to come.

Milling About goes behind-the-scenes with Pump Boys & Dinettes playing The Papermill Playhouse April 6-May 1. Joining host Robin Milling is James Barry (Jim), Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress (Rhetta) and choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter (School of Rock). All the action takes place on North Carolina's Highway 57. The Pump Boys at the gas station (James, Jason, Gabe Bowling as Jackson and Sam Weber as Eddie) are a musical foursome, playing all their own instruments in the show with styles ranging from the 30s to the 80s. On acoustic guitar is James who tells Robin he grew up playing in rock bands. He says the music in the show features ragtime to classic country, soul and funk. On piano, percussion, accordian and a 'little tap dancing' is Jason, an accomplished pianist who tells Robin tapping while playing accordian was a challenge, 'It's a funny moment because I'm playing accordian while I'm doing it in cowboy boots!' Jason goes from Sondheim to country rock 'n roll having pla

New York Pops Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke joins host Robin Milling to talk about the upcoming Carnegie Hall concert celebrating the music of 50 Academy Award nominee John Williams from Spielberg to Star Wars. John tells Robin he culled through much of Williams' extensive soundtrack catalogue but narrowed it down to collaborations with filmmaker Steven Spielberg to honor his 70th birthday. Steven says the music of John Williams is so powerful and visceral that if you close your eyes it just takes you back to the movies such as his most recent score for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “Even the earliest memories from Jaws in 1975, I remember sitting in a movie theater being very young with my family watching Jaws for the first time and it was fantastic. Every time I conduct or hear that opening theme, 'Baadum, Baadum,' I am transported right back.” Four of Williams' Academy Award winning film scores will be played by The New York Pops orchestra on April 8 at Carnegie Hall including Jaws, ET: The

Alan Parsons joins host Robin Milling to discuss his personal and professional journey from Abbey Road Studios to The Alan Parsons Project and more. A renaissance man, Alan is also an author of 'Art & Science of Sound Recording' and hopes to pen his autobiography some day. With entertainnment in his family, he is also actively pursuing a career as an actor. Alan tells Robin how he landed his coveted job as an assistant engineer at Abbey Road Studios and would come to work with The Beatles on such projects as Let It Be, and the Abbey Road album. Listen for some great behind-the-scenes stories of what it was like to work with The Beatles in the recording studio,andwith Paul McCartney at his home studio. Plus Alan talks about embarking on a 'greatest hits' tour with The Alan Parsons Project, and much more. For more information visit http://alanparsonsmusic.com/  

Legendary rocker DAVID BOWIE has died January 10, 2016 at the age of 69; just two days after his 69th birthday and his latest album release, following an 18-month battle with cancer. Blackstar, his 25th and final album released January 8th has been described as a 'parting gift to his fans.' His other most recent musical creation was the off-Broadway show, Lazarus featuring his music and starring Michael C. Hall; based on The Man Who Fell To Earth. Host Robin Milling dips into the archives to pay tribute to the Thin White Duke in this interview from 1992 with Bowie and Tin Machine bassist Tony Sales.

Taylor Kinney stars in The Forest, the first horror film in 2016. Taylor stars alongside Natalie Dormer as they search the famed Aokigahara suicide forest in Japan searching for her missing twin sister. Taylor tells host Robin Milling what he did during his off-time shooting the film in the Serbian mountains, his upcoming nuptials to Lady Gaga, his pride in playing a fireman in Chicago Fire, holiday traditions, and more. Movie stills courtesy of Gramercy Pictures by James Dittiger.

Natalie Dormer stars in The Forest, the first scary movie in 2016. Making her horror debut, she takes on double duty playing twins in the story about traveling to Japan to save her sister from impending doom in the famed Aokigahara suicide forest. Natalie tells Robin she tempted fate by visiting the forest prior to shooting the film by stepping off the path for a mere second. Not one to be put off by spirits, insects are another story as she had to fend off the creepy crawlers in the scene where she falls down the sinkhole. Coming off Cressida in Hunger Games, and playing Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, Natalie tells Robin about changing her hairstyle for roles, reuniting with her family for the holidays, and more. Movie stills courtesy of Gramercy Pictures by James Dittiger

Milling About visits a special sneak preview of American Dance Machine where 22 dancers perform classic Broadway dance numbers reimagined by some of the dance world's best choreographers. Host Robin Milling speaks with dancer/singer Lori Ann Ferreri (On The Town, Wicked) who says she felt guided by her mentor, A Chorus Line's Donna McKechnie for her rendition of Music & The Mirror. Tyler Hanes (On The Town, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity) who performs Tommy Tune's We'll Take A Glass from Grand Hotel, and duets with his favorite New York City Ballet soloist Gina Pazcoguin, says working on the New York stage is a dream come true. Director Wayne Cilento (Wicked, Sweet Charity revival, The Who's Tommy) who played Mike in A Chorus Line, reunites with the legendary Cassie, Donna McKechnie. They share what it's like coming full circle as dancers to behind-the-scenes, working with Artistic Director Nikki Feirt Atkins to bring a fresh approach to a dance theatrical experience. American Dance Machine premiering Dec

Narada Michael Walden grew up as Michael in Kalamazoo, Michigan in a house filled with music always playing. He would beat along on pie tins and table tops, and at five years old when he received his first Toyland drum kit, that set his musical path. Fast forward to 19 when he was discovered by John McLaughlin who introduced him to his guru, giving him the name 'Narada' which means supreme musician. That set his spiritual path. Producing pop music was just an extension of Narada's listening to what was hot coming up in Michigan, from 'Motown to Johnny Mathis and everything in-between.' He tells Robin how 12 year-old Stacy Lattisaw was his first big break as a producer; putting her and him on the map with Let Me Be Your Angel. He recalls, 'And then my phone started ringing from Clive Davis and you name it. Will you produce this person and this one? And I said yes to everybody. I blew up!' Narada treats Robin to stories about some of the incredibly talented artists he's worked with over the years including El

Broadway star Kate Baldwin joins host Robin Milling for Let's Do Lunch! at Village Prime in New York City. On stage at 59 E. 59, Kate gets her honky tonk on as Tammy Trip, a former Nashville Grand Ole Opry queen in Songbird; music and lyrics by Lauren Pritchard. She tells Robin she has never been to Music City but studied Robert Atlman's film 'Nashville' to prepare for the role and read up on famous female country artists like Wynona Judd and being a woman in the world of country music. She reveals her ultimate inspiration for the character looking sinewy and fit was inspired by a pop star. Her country twang came from listening to a playlist of several country singers, and one in particular became her model. At Village Prime, the fresh baked bread on the table was tempting, but Kate abstained as she is keeping her strict carb-free diet that she began with her husband; fellow actor, Graham Rowat, who also got in shape to play a gladiator in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. A foodie herself, she

Broadway star Douglas Hodge makes his directing debut on the great white way with Old Times starring Clive Owen, Eve Best, and Kelly Reilly. Douglas joins host Robin Milling, taking time out of his hectic schedule for tea and a chat. Douglas tells Robin how impressed he was with Clive Owen and company who brought their own memories of loved ones into Harold Pinter's play about jealousy and obsession. He says he would love to make the piece into a film if only he could get the rights to it; taking the cast onto the big screen and opening it up onto the streets of London. Never settling on one thing, Douglas is shooting Penny Dreadful as Inspector Bartholomew Rusk, in Ireland through March; busy 'chasing Josh Hartnett across the desert!' In between he's off to France to work on a French film. And musically he's keen on performing a couple of gigs, writing a new commissioned musical, as well as anticipating his own musical 'Meantime' in London.

Marty Balin: singer/songwriter, founding member of Jefferson Airplane and hit maker of Jefferson Starship joins host Robin Milling to share 50 years of musical memories with his new CD, Good Memories. Spanning five decades, whether you grew up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or 2000s you'll always remember such songs as It's No Secret, Count on Me, With Your Love, and Miracles; to name a few. Marty tells Robin how they came up with the name 'Jefferson Airplane,' along with his fond memories of Grace Slick, and not so fond memories of playing Woodstock! He says the behind-the-scenes goings on at the festival were much more memorable. When Marty isn't making music he is making art. His art gallery in St. Augustine, Florida features his paintings and lots of memorabilia for sale. As a follow up to Good Memories, Balin – who is known as “The King of Love Songs” – will release The Greatest Love; a new album of original music. For more information visit: http://martybalinmusic.com/

Steven Beer, author of Your Child's Career in Music and Entertainment joins host Robin Milling. If your child is contemplating a career in showbusiness; this is the book for you. A former artist manager and currently an entertainment attorney, Steven was inspired by his personal journey as a stage parent when his 13 year-old son got his first role. He tells Robin, 'I realized how a prudent parent needs to approach the business. When it happened to my son it made me take a step back because I realized if I had all these questions I could imagine what other parents with kids interested in pursuing a career in music and entertainment might have.' In the book Steven provides answers to the questions a prudent parent may have; as he says there is no real guide or structure available to teach them the best way to go. Steven has felt like a parent in many ways with his extensive experience mentoring and representing multi-platinum music artists, such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste and Stay

Broadway veteran and entertainer Tovah Feldshuh joins host Robin Milling to talk about her new one-woman show Aging Is Optional, inspired by her beloved mother Lillian after passing away at 'over 103.' She tells Robin, “In honor of that event I wrote the show because she was really a beacon of light and died well over a century old without dementia so it was just a miracle.” Her show deals with quantum time with what she calls the memory box. Tovah is happy to still be in the game of showbusiness where most women of a certain age are put to pasture. Her last role on Broadway was a trapeze swinging grandma in Pippin and she was ready for that! “I wasn't scared because I had a swing-set as a three year old child in Scarsdale in the backyard with two swings and a metal bar with two chains which was like a little trapeze and I would hang upside down!” She's kept her Pippin figure swimming a half mile every day, biking and hiking; most recently up Mt. Kilimanjaro! Sunday is a double-header for Tovah who not only

Patrick Wilson and Paul Wilson join host Robin Milling to talk about their film Big Stone Gap. It was a labor of love for the Wilson brothers who's family roots are steeped in the small Virginian town. As children they recall spending summers with their grandparents who lived in Big Stone Gap. They tell Robin it was bittersweet to return to the place of their fondest childhood memories to shoot the movie, even staying in the house where they summered. Patrick says, 'It's really been the most personal project I've ever been a part of.' Paul tells Robin the story of how the Wilson family has been immortalized in the town with 'Wilson Road,' and the 'Paul J. Wilson' bridge named for their grandfather. In fact their grandparents were friends with the parents of writer/director Adrianna Trigiani who waited until Patrick was old enough to play the part, to make the film of her book. Patrick and Paul's collaboration goes beyond movies, as they also have a band called The Wilson Van along with their brother Mark pla

Grayson Hugh is Back To The Soul with a new album, returning to his blue-eyed southern soul sound, country and rock roots. Grayson tells host Robin Milling the inspiration for the album and stories behind such songs as the title cut, Rock 'n Roll Man, Getting On With My Life and Already In Love With You; a tribute to his marriage of seven years to wife and collaborator in life and music, Polly Messer. Grayson says the album is a return to his soul both musically and spiritually. He explains, 'A song like Thank You Lord; I'm very grateful to be alive, be sober 11 years and my gratitude also being happily married finally after many dysfunctional relationships I'm very grateful to my higher power.' For more information and to buy Back To The Soul visit: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/graysonhugh8 http://graysonhugh.net/

Host Robin Milling is joined by Valerie Smaldone to celebrate the unveiling of the Something Rotten portrait at Tony's di Napoli in New York City. The event, created by Tony's Bruce Dimpflmaier celebrates the best of Broadway with a one-of-a-kind portrait by artist Dan May. Stars Brian D'Arcy James, John Cariani, Christian Borle and Book, Music and lyricist Karey Kirkpatrick were on hand to unveil the portrait. Poster copies signed by the stars will be auctioned off at a future event to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS        

Brooklyn is in the house as consummate entertainer Ben Vereen joins host Robin Milling to talk about his new film, Time Out of Mind, his upcoming stage show From Brooklyn to Broadway and much more. Ben tells Robin what it was like to portray a homeless man opposite Richard Gere, and how the film affected his personal relationship to homelessness. He also reveals plans for an upcoming stage show and his long overdue memoirs.