Nathan Lane Breaks Down His Broadway Career

Nathan Lane is currently starring on Broadway in "Pictures From Home," opposite Zoë Wanamaker (who plays his wife) and Danny Burstein (who plays his son). In the inaugural entry to Playbill's new video series, "My Life in the Theatre," Lane sits down with a Playbill binder containing every Playbill from every show he's ever done on Broadway. Lane walks us through his career, including the time he asked Sondheim to write new songs for "The Frogs," how he almost changed his name to Norman Lane, and the production where he played a "thug version of Donald Trump."

00:00 Introduction
00:15 Present Laughter
01:33 Merlin
03:06 Wind in the Willows
04:15 Some Americans Abroad
04:49 On Borrowed Time
07:16 Guys and Dolls
07:58 Laughter on the 23rd Floor
09:10 Love! Valour! Compassion!
10:30 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
12:00 The Producers
13:52 The Frogs
15:28 The Odd Couple
16:47 Butley
18:00 November
19:33 Waiting for Godot
20:32 The Addams Family
21:33 The Nance
21:51 The Front Page
22:47 Angels in America
24:35 Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
25:37 Pictures From Home

Credits:
Directing and editing: Ethan Treiman
Research: Margaret Hall
Production: Margaret Hall, Dean Greer, Jeffrey Vizcaíno, Heather Gershonowitz, and Molly Higgins

[jasonwhite]

It's criminal that this video is not two hours long.

[lucys]

It would be a joy to see an extended version of this interview with all the "long stories" because I bet they are fabulous from Nathan! Looking forward to see who you interview next...

[claudehaynes]

My granddaughter turned 16 and I took her on an NYC theatre trip. One of the shows turned out to be the first preview of Gary. An obviously exhausted Nathan Lane appeared at the stage door to a long line of admirers. Hers was his last autograph at the end of a long day. A true class act and national treasure.

[micheles]

Saw him in Forum once and he came out from backstage at one point with a cup of coffee for a guy who had fallen asleep in one of the front rows. Classic. 😆

[JourneyRcks]

Loved watching this. I feel like Nathan Lane is one of those people who remembers every actor he's ever worked with. You can tell how much he respects and loves theater.

[kazza]

"It would take an entire documentary-" someone MAKE IT NOW

[Reevnar]

Nathan Lane is such a good storyteller. I could listen to his stories for hours. I also love how much he praises his co-stars, the directors, and the writers.

[MsPea]

Nathan should do a one-man biographical show where he recounts his life and career. I could listen to his stories all day. Thanks to Playbill, though for this snippet. I loved it!

[trashleigh]

Nathan Lane is a national treasure. So happy to hear him discuss his career <3

[TheMattForbes]

The King of Broadway himself! Great series!

[HoneyB_-]

I’m getting emotional just watching him talk about his career. I’m so lucky to have seen even a small number of these performances. Nathan Lane is one of the greatest performers out there and I’ve absolutely loved him throughout my life.

[MindiB]

He is just a delight—I’m so happy I’ve had the opportunity to see him on stage a few times. There is no one who seems more entirely at home and at ease on a Broadway stage than Mr. Lane.

[cesterjr]

The thing I love most about this is Nathan’s respect for playwrights. It’s a joy to see.

[rachaeljohnson]

Nathan Lane is a wonderful actor and he is so talented on Broadway. I admire him so much. I am so happy for his Broadway success.❤❤❤ We all love you Nathan.

[Waggers]

I was working at the national theatre when Angels in America was on. Served Nathan a few times, lovely man and incredible as Roy.

[linmiller]

I love Nathan Lane. I'm so sorry that I have never been able to see him perform on stage. I HAVE seen a lot of his interviews and appearances on T.V. and in movies. I'm very glad for the filmed version of The Producers and I think he is great in The Birdcage.

[kazza]

I love watching artists go through their work and talk about it

[repboy]

I could listen to Nathan all day talk about each and every play in depth

[tdtvkc]

Most underrated and most under the radar is the master Nathan Lane, bravo and bravo again. I hope I never have to imagine a world without Nathan Lane, thanks for all of your hard work and for being such a joy. 😀✌❤

[PTBP-CB]

The frogs is my favourite musical of all time. it's sad more people don't love it.