The Late Show with David Letterman
August 23, 1996
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| After the monologue, David Letterman introduced the guest list, including "Nathan Hale ... no, not Nathan Hale, great patriot, great American, but Nathan Lane!" This prompted Nathan to say, as he sat down, "I'm Nathan Hale, starring in How to Succeed on the Way to the Forum. It's lovely to see you again, Regis." | ||
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| About the suit: Nathan said "This is my Casablanca suit." Letterman said, "... a little something from the Sidney Greenstreet collection." The Macarena seemed to be the theme of show, including a long skit before Nathan's appearance. Nathan tied into the theme by talking about a "mass Macarena" he came upon in a grocery store, reminiscent of a Hokey Pokey accident in his past. |
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| They chatted about a recent DNC fund raiser at Radio City Music Hall honoring President Clinton on his 50th birthday. "A kid from Jersey City, New Jersey, performing for the President."
Nathan related his well-wishes for President Clinton, "I not only wished him happy birthday, but a Hakuna Matata, which you know is an old Yiddish expression that means, 'Hey, you're 50, go ahead and inhale.' " Letterman brought attention to Nathan's shoes, "Those are Broadway shoes, buddy ... that's elegant footwear." Nathan responded, "I took the taps off for the show." | ||
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| Nathan told a couple little theatre stories (a woman yelling "Where's the plot?" during The Lisbon Traviata) and spoke about his involvement in the audition process for the film Ratboy, directed by Sondra Locke ("Not since Orson Welles has there been such a visionary"). First, Nathan auditioned for the part of one of Ratboy's kidnappers, but he couldn't keep from laughing during his lines and later auditioned for the voice of Ratboy. How did Ratboy become Ratboy? "... because of chemical engineering or they just took him to a room with a heart-shaped tub? (have you ever been to the Poconos?)" | ||
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| Letterman introduced the Forum cast, singing "Comedy Tonight" as "... one of Broadway's most popular musicals ... it would cost you $650; you're getting it here for free!" | ||
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Most of the Forum cast were there, with the exception of Ernie Sabella and Mark Linn-Baker (Understudy Patrick Garner did appear). |  |
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