Tony Walton on 'Downstage Center' XM

The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with designer turned director Tony Walton on their weekly theatrical interview show, "Downstage Center," on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28).

Walton will appear as the special guest on Friday, January 4 at 6 p.m. The show will repeat on Saturday, January 5 at noon, Sunday, January 6 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday, January 9 at midnight.  The program becomes available as streaming audio and podcast from www.americantheatrewing.org beginning Monday afternoon, January 7.

Tony Walton talks about his work directing the plays of George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward for New York's Irish Repertory Theatre; considers how his work as a designer influences his work as a director—and vice versa; remembers his earliest days both at art school in England and as a fledging designer in the U.S.; recounts anecdotes from his first major Broadway success, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, including a tension filled encounter between star Zero Mostel and show doctor Jerome Robbins; and shares stories about his work with such varied artists and collaborators as George Abbott, Bob Fosse, Boris Aronson, Stephen Sondheim, Mike Nichols—and even Michael Jackson and Winne-the-Pooh.

Each new "Downstage Center" is regularly broadcast at 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 12 a.m. (all times EST). Following the initial run on XM, each program is made available for free, on-demand, internationally as both streaming audio and podcast on ATW's Web site, www.americantheatrewing.org.

Tony Walton (photo by Barry Gordin)