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[0:01] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:07] Robert Bannon: Well, everybody, welcome to The Roundtable. My name is Robert Bannon. You're listening to some Broadway World, the Broadway Podcast Network, iHeart, Spotify, wherever artists are talking about art. One of my favorite guests ever, ever, ever. Come on. You are. Claybourne does shows, cabarets, puts out albums, stars on TV, has been on Broadway, been off Broadway, has sung all of the scores and all of the shows that you all love. And, you know, he's a director. And, you know, in his family, they just happen to run, you know, they just are up here running things and being a boss and making things happen up in the Cape. And all summer long, we've talked about the Cape Playhouse. And Claybourne just so happens, we just had Julia Verney here the other day, just so happens that he's directing a production of the Putnam Spelling Bee. And he's here to tell us all about it. Welcome back.

[0:52] Claybourne Elder: Thank you so much for having me.

[0:55] Robert Bannon: You were here not long ago because you put out an incredible album, which everyone needs to listen to.

[1:00] Claybourne Elder: Thank you.

[1:01] Robert Bannon: And you put on shows for it.

[1:04] Claybourne Elder: Yes.

[1:05] Robert Bannon: And then in your spare time, you said, let's direct Putnam, 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. Why, how, when? Tell me.

[1:13] Claybourne Elder: I mean, it was, it's also, I'm in Little Shop of Horrors off Broadway right now. And right now, and they, I got the job offer to do Little Shop of Horrors after I'd already, I mean, I'd already cast Spelling Bee. And I was like, yes, I will come do Little Shop of Horrors, but you have to give me matinees off for these two weeks so I can rehearse Spelling Bee. So I was rehearsing Spelling Bee from 10 to 6, running down the street and doing Little Shop of Horrors at 7 o'clock. Just for two weeks, but it was insane. And then we only have two days of tech at the Cape. So there are two days of tech to tech the whole show, get it set up. And then I came right back to New York and did two shows at 54 Below. So I just finished all of that. And it was very exciting and thrilling and also totally insane.

[2:03] Robert Bannon: What in the world?

[2:06] Claybourne Elder: Yeah, it was crazy. But thrilling. I mean, there's nothing better than also, it's so much fun to be performing when you're directing because you just have such a you, you're in your head, you know what the actors are going to go through in a way. And so you show up, I feel like at rehearsal, being able to during that time when your job as the director is really to craft the cast and like, help them get everything they need to be able to put the show up. You're there with them, really remembering what it's like to be on a stage and to do it every day and to, to share with them that so it was helpful.

[2:42] Robert Bannon: You win. Like if anyone else thinks they're busy, he wins. They have a family, they got kids. The husband is not there right now because he's got a big job. You're on, you're doing Little Shop and you have a show that you directed up. What was the experience? Tell us about the cast and why did you, why this show? Why did you want to do Spelling Bee?

[3:01] Claybourne Elder: So I have loved Spelling Bee forever. It's one of the, it was the second Broadway show I ever saw. And, and I have just always loved it, not only because it's obviously hilarious. But I think that the heart of the show is so, so big, it is such a, you know, like, even if we never participated in a Spelling Bee, we all know what it's like to grow up. And I think that up on that stage, you see in hopefully several of those people, a little piece of yourself. And this show, you know, this is about a Spelling Bee. But what it's really about is a day in all of these people's lives that changes them for something. And we sort of, when we think of a Spelling Bee, we think, all right, so we're gonna, we're put into this machine where there's going to be one winner and a whole bunch of losers.

But in this show, everybody wins something, every single person on the stage wins something. And, and so it's, it's, oh, God, I just think it's monumentally fulfilling to watch, because you watch these people have this emotional journey, and they all have a big change that happens. And I think that, you know, I think that when working with the cast, that was the thing that was the most important to me is, I know you're all playing 12 year olds, but I don't want to ever lose the humanity of these people, because that is the payoff in the end, no matter how much you laugh, the payoff in the end is the heart. And so that's what I love so much about the show.

[4:33] Claybourne Elder: As someone who during the day spends his life with middle school students, this show is very authentic in some ways to the life of what it's like to teach middle school. And you'll laugh and you'll get a kick out of it. So if you're up at the cave, you don't have much time because it's going to end this weekend. So you've got to get your tickets. And more, even more importantly, obviously, you're going to want to get your tickets and see the show. But if you're not up there, why should people next season, take a trip up there? Why should people support the hundredth season of the cave playhouse?

[5:07] Claybourne Elder: Well, that's the thing. There are only a very few number of theaters in this country that will ever celebrate 100 years of operation. And that is just crazy. And what's amazing about that theater is, almost not even 10 years ago, they were in a lot of financial trouble. They actually had a board meeting to decide if they were going to close the theater. And they decided to keep it open. And then they went through a lot of changes. And then my husband came on as artistic director just a couple of years ago. And they've seen just a huge boom. In the past couple years, people are going to live theater a lot. And also, they've been doing some really amazing work that has also helped and things. But next year, being the hundredth anniversary of the theater is going to be a massive year at the theater.

I'm not allowed to tell you what they're doing yet. It will be announced soon. But let me just say it's going to be massive. And it's going to be an amazing season. And I'm sure the talent they draw is just incredible. Their tagline used to be where Broadway goes to summer. And I think that for actors, it's such a dream because you rehearse in New York City. And then you go to Cape Cod for three weeks and do a show where you go to the beach all day and then do a show at night. It's really magical.

[6:38] Claybourne Elder: And I think that it's the same for audiences. There's something about that building, which is an old church. And it had been a lot of things in its history. But it's still this old wooden structure. And you go in and you see theater in there. And you look at that stage where Bette Davis played shows. And all of these amazing actors over the course of the number of famous people that have been on that stage is really incredible. And you get to go kind of experience this little piece of history and see a show there. It's really magical.

[7:17] Claybourne Elder: There's not a bad seat in the house. They keep tickets as economical as possible. They are $100 and less. There's tickets for $50. So you can get two tickets for $100, go to dinner, have a night out, have vacation. It's close to pizza. Okay, look, I got in a lot of trouble. I did interviews every show you all have done this summer out there.

[7:39] Robert Bannon: Oh, my God. Amazing.

[7:42] Claybourne Elder: The most incredible actors, most incredible people. And every single person I've told, told me that I was gonna get my gay card revoked, because I have never been to the Cape. And I have never been to P-Town. Claiborne, ever. Me and my husband have never gone. He's from Detroit. I'm from New Jersey. I've never gone.

[7:57] Claybourne Elder: That is crazy to me. But also, I understand.

[8:02] Claybourne Elder: So this is my promise to you and your husband. Next summer, I am going to go to a show at the Cape. I'm going.

[8:10] Robert Bannon: Yes, yes. Okay, you've made a promise. We all heard him. We all heard him.

[8:15] Claybourne Elder: I want to be out there. I've never been to the beach up there. My uncle goes. And he's straight. So he says to me, I go up to the Cape. And he says to me, this is my story that I have to share with you. He says to me, I went to the Cape, and then I took a day trip to P-Town. I said, oh, how was it? So he says, it was great. I had so much fun, and I went to a concert. I said, oh, you did? Who did you see? He said, it was some Broadway lady. I said, really?

[8:42] Robert Bannon: Welcome back to The Roundtable! I am so excited to have my friend Claybourne Elder here with me today. Claybourne is directing the 25th anniversary production of the Tony Award-winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at The Cape Playhouse. He’s also starring Off-Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors. Claybourne, how are you?

[9:12] Claybourne Elder: I’m great! Thanks for having me, Robert. It’s a busy time, but I’m really excited about everything happening right now.

[9:32] Robert Bannon: You’re directing Spelling Bee! That’s such a beloved show. What’s it like to take on that responsibility?

[10:00] Claybourne Elder: It’s a huge honor, honestly. Spelling Bee has such a special place in the hearts of so many people, and I want to do justice to it while also bringing my own vision to the production.

[10:28] Robert Bannon: What do you think makes Spelling Bee resonate with audiences even after 25 years?

[10:56] Claybourne Elder: I think it’s the relatability of the characters and the humor. The themes of competition, friendship, and growing up are universal. Plus, the music is just so catchy!

[11:24] Robert Bannon: Absolutely! And you’re doing this while also performing in Little Shop of Horrors. How do you balance both roles?

[11:52] Claybourne Elder: It’s definitely a juggling act! But I think working on both sides of the creative process really informs my work. Directing helps me understand the actor’s perspective better, and performing keeps me connected to the audience.

[12:20] Robert Bannon: That’s such a great point. What have you learned from directing that you can apply to your acting?

[12:36] Claybourne Elder: I’ve learned a lot about the importance of collaboration. As a director, you’re working with so many different artists, and it’s crucial to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. That’s something I carry into my acting as well.

[13:04] Robert Bannon: Speaking of collaboration, what’s it been like working at The Cape Playhouse?

[13:32] Claybourne Elder: It’s been wonderful! The community there is so supportive, and the theater itself has such a rich history. It’s a joy to be part of that legacy.

[14:00] Robert Bannon: I can only imagine! What’s your favorite part about making theater?

[14:28] Claybourne Elder: For me, it’s the connection with the audience. There’s nothing like sharing a story and seeing how it resonates with people in real-time. It’s magical.

[14:56] Robert Bannon: That’s so true. And you’re doing it in two different capacities right now! What’s next for you after this busy season?

[15:12] Claybourne Elder: I’m not sure yet! I’m just trying to focus on the present and enjoy this moment. But I’m always looking for new opportunities to grow and challenge myself.

[15:40] Robert Bannon: That’s a great mindset to have. I can’t wait to see what you do next!

[16:08] Claybourne Elder: Thank you! I appreciate that. I’m excited to share this journey with everyone.

[16:36] Robert Bannon: And we’re excited to follow along! Thanks for joining me today, Claybourne.

[17:04] Claybourne Elder: Thank you for having me, Robert!