Backstage Pass is a special Broadway Breakdown mini-series taking listeners behind the curtain of the Off-Broadway production Marcel on the Train at Classic Stage Company. Across the season, we’ve explored every layer of the process—from producing and writing to design and performance—offering a rare, holistic look at how a new play gets made. This final episode turns its focus forward: what happens after opening night?
The Guests
Producers Mitch Marois and Maxwell Beer of Mix and Match Productions return to close out the series. Having shepherded Marcel on the Train from development through its world premiere, they’re uniquely positioned to speak to the realities of sustaining a new work—what comes next, what success actually looks like, and how a show builds a life beyond its first production.
Important Links:
Mix and Match Productions
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction to the final Backstage Pass episode and the journey of Marcel on the Train
01:00 – Reconnecting with Mitch Marois and Maxwell Beer post-opening: immediate reflections on the run
03:30 – What defines “success” for a new Off-Broadway production today
07:00 – The realities of extending a show’s life: transfers, licensing, and future productions
12:30 – Lessons learned from the premiere process and what they’d do differently next time
16:00 – Building momentum: how word-of-mouth and critical response factor into next steps
19:30 – The long game: developing new work vs. sustaining existing projects
23:00 – Producing as advocacy: championing stories like Marcel Marceau’s for modern audiences
26:00 – Final thoughts on the future of Marcel on the Train and closing out the series
Listener Question
What did you think of our first BACKSTAGE PASS series? What did you learn? What do you hope to learn from it in future series?
