How Linda Lavin Landed Her Role In Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound"

On this "In The Wings," Michael Riedel and Christine Nagy chat with Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin about working with Neil Simon on Last of the Red Hot Lovers and Broadway Bound.

Linda Lavin called in from LA to talk with Christine and Michael about the process she went through convincing Neil Simon to cast her to play his mother in his show, Broadway Bound. Every role in the play had already been cast, aside from the mother, and Linda knew she was best fit for the role. When she went to meet Neil, he even dressed up in 1940s garb to look the part. 

She revealed that Neil had some doubts about casting her because he worried that people would look at her and see Alice after starring in the loved TV show for so many years.  Besides that, Linda revealed, "There was something in reserve, I really think it was because the part of his mother was so deeply important to him that he wanted me to earn it. He wanted it to be a person he could feel most comfortable with. Eventually, Neil came to his senses and cast Linda in the production. Linda is eternally grateful for her opportunity to play Kate in Broadway Bound all those years ago.

Catch up with Lina, Michael, and Christine by listening to the full interview below:

Photo: Getty