When people hear the name Bill Russell, they may think “Oh, wasn’t he the legendary center for the NBA’s Boston Celtics?” Well, that one is no longer with us, but we do have one who has enjoyed a very successful life in musical theater. The 77-year-old lyricist and playwright has had a front row seat on Broadway for decades.
He made his Broadway debut in 1997 with “Side Show” with music by Henry Krieger. Russell received a Tony nomination for Best Book and shared one for Best Score with Krieger.
His notable musicals include “Elegies for Angels”, “Punks” and “Raging Queens.”
Stephi Wild probably says it best in a recent edition of Broadway World when she poses the question: “How does an effeminate boy–raised in Cowboyland with cattle and guns, hunting and trucks, sports and church, jocks and jerks, cruelty and small-mindedness–get from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the thrills and heartbreak of the white-hot lights of Broadway and the West End?”
The answer is contained in his memoir “Still Bill: Gay Adventures From Cowboyland to Broadway,” a lovely, humorous and thought provoking read that is being released Oct. 27. The idea of a gay man in theater is hardly revolutionary, but Russell’s particular upbringing made the musical move even more unlikely. Straus News spoke with him recently on the Upper West Side.
**What spurred this book?**
Well, life. It is not the usual saga about growing up around New York and having my parents taking me to Broadway shows. I was born in South Dakota, the home of Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. My maternal grandparents were cattle ranchers. Everyone called my father Cowboy Russell. So, the memoir is both my journey as a writer, but also my journey as a gay man coming from that environment. I felt like an Alien.
**When did you know you were gay?**
Gay didn’t exist as a term, and we didn’t see any images of gay characters, unless they were serial killers. I knew that I was different and had been attracted to men very early. I had no interest in sports or hunting or trucks. I had been encouraged by friends to write my story. During Covid I thought I would start this.
**Your first taste of theater?**
South Dakota is not a hotbed of theater. Every summer, one called The Black Hills Passion Play which was done in our area and was extremely popular. Five thousand people came from everywhere to see it. Two hundred townspeople were allowed to be extras. I got a tiny role when I was five, and I was blessed by Jesus. I was hooked and knew this was where I wanted to be. My mother started me on piano lessons. I won a comedy contest for a Chekhov play. Because I had real anxiety, or stage fright, I realized I was more interested in being behind the curtain so to speak. Although I am still a ham.”
**Your first real break?**
I had a wacky show called “Lucky Duck,” “and my partner and I were given 25 minutes to pitch it to Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was the king of animated films, alongside a guy named Spielberg. We met him at Universal to perform five songs. He came in and said “it’s showtime.” He also said, “this is not for Dreamworks,” but he was nice and after that experience, my stage fright disappeared.” (“Ugly Duckling” did go on as a stage musical, the duckling becomes a famous model—and played in various cities including The Old Globe in San Diego)
**Is it fair to say your most successful one was “Sideshow”?**
Yes, “Sideshow” went to Broadway twice. Directed by Bill Condon, it’s based on a true story of conjoined twins. It was the only time two people were nominated for the same role. Coming up is a 30th anniversary at Carnegie Hall. It’s done in a lot of schools and colleges. One producer told me every actor he meets has that show on their resume.
**Who are the people you looked up to?**
I wanted to grow up to be Frank Loesser. \[A songwriter known for his contributions to Broadway musicals, including “Guys and Dolls” and the Pulitzer Prize winning “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”\] He was such a hero of mine. Oddly enough I worked for four months, and I got this job at Frank Music which was his company. He had died not long before. He was such a hero. And, of course, Sondheim and Kander and Ebb, \[John Kander and Fred Ebb who created musicals “Chicago” and “Cabaret.”\] Love their stuff. I was determined that I would show gay characters which I’d never seen on stage. My first show was a gay farce. It ran for seven or eight months.
**How would you asses your career so far?**
I’ve written 16 full length musicals and they’ve all been produced. I am really proud and satisfied.
**What is the last thing you’ve seen and loved?**
I loved “Shmigadoon” “Maybe Happy Ending, “ Oh, I really enjoyed “Heated Rivalry.” I know it’s surprising but it absolutely works as great farce. And it’s not easy to do that kind of parody.
**So, even though you were raised by cowboys, you are a real New Yorker now?**
The first time I got out at Penn Station and the first time I saw the Statue of Liberty, I knew I was home. I’ve been here for 50 years. Does that qualify me?
**Michele Willens’ podcast is called “Stage Right or Not”**