BroadwayRadio Special Episode: Allison Bailey on Life in the Bubble and Building Her Cabaret Debut

Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Matt Tamanini (BroadwayRadio)
Guest: Allison Bailey (Wicked national tour, Broadway's Glinda)

Episode Overview

This special interview spotlights Broadway star Allison Bailey, renowned for her nearly decade-long tenure with Wicked, as she prepares for her solo cabaret debut at 54 Below on February 23. Host Matt Tamanini delves into Bailey's reflections on her years as Glinda, the impact of the Wicked films, her southern roots, and her creative process in building a personal, story-driven cabaret show. The episode offers behind-the-scenes insights on both the ever-revolving Wicked universe and the vulnerability and excitement of staging one's first solo show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Back in "the Bubble": Returning to Wicked

• Current Engagement: Bailey returns for a planned two-week, 12-show stint with the Wicked national tour in Pittsburgh.
  • "I'm back in the bubble for 12 shows, which is really exciting." (03:05, Bailey)
• Longevity with the Show: Has spent almost a decade with Wicked in various capacities: six and a half years on tour, a Broadway run, and pandemic interruptions.
  • "I'm on year 10 of Wicked, which is... wild. We're working on year 11." (03:53, Bailey)
• Jumping Back In: Steps back on stage with minimal rehearsal; finds comfort in familiar faces and costumes.
  • "We just jumped right in and it was incredible. It was so much fun and everybody was so welcoming." (04:01, Bailey)
  • "Wicked's almost a revolving door... Friends that have turned into family." (04:48, Bailey)

2. Cabaret Debut at 54 Below: Building a Personal Show

• First Solo Effort: Despite frequent appearances at 54 Below in group shows, this is her debut solo cabaret.
  • "This is my very first solo show." (05:13, Bailey)
• Crafting the Set List: Looks to songs shaping different chapters of her life—college, professional career, and personal favorites.
  • "I think about songs that have shaped me... and then kind of base it off of my guests, too." (05:58, Bailey)
• Collaborative Approach: Designs parts of the show around her guests, including Disney songs with Lauren Paley and a Wicked duet with Talia Suskower.
  • "It's more of a collaboration... You look at your guest and you're like, what would be fun to sing together?" (06:46, Bailey)

3. Special Guests and Connections

• Lauren Paley: College friend and Disney-cover social media star; expect fun Disney numbers.
• Talia Suskower: Wicked co-star and "chosen family"; inevitable Wicked tunes, possibly with a unique twist.
  • "You definitely will hear some Wicked. She's chosen family. She's like my sister." (07:28, Bailey)
• Casey Cott: Known from Riverdale and Moulin Rouge; Bailey befriended him through his sister Carly and his wife Nicola.
  • "Big fan of his... so excited to sing with him." (08:08, Bailey)

4. Personal Musical Roots and Influences

• Country Origins: Grew up in Pensacola, Florida, singing in a country band—expect a couple of country songs.
  • "I grew up singing country country. So I'll have a couple of country songs in my set list." (09:02, Bailey)
• Pop and Family Connection: Will also include a pop song that was her parents' wedding song.
  • "My pop song is my parents wedding song, which is kind of special." (09:02, Bailey)
• Genre Blending: Discusses the vocal technique challenges of switching between musical theater, country, and pop.
  • "You have to access a different part of your voice... but I think it's all gonna still sound like me." (09:58, Bailey)

5. Voice, Authenticity, and Accent

• Keeping Glinda "Non-Regional": Works to suppress her natural Southern twang in the role but admits a little "Allison" seeps through.
  • "I try to keep her as non-regional as possible... there probably is just a little bit of a twang that kind of shows up." (10:48, Bailey)
• Vulnerability of Solo Shows: Finds solo performance daunting—unlike playing a character, the show is truly "her."
  • "It honestly haunts me before I go to bed at night." (12:04, Bailey)
  • "It's me... just a window of being able to get to know me as a person." (12:10, Bailey)

6. Beyond Wicked: Identity and Aspirations

• Honored by the Association: Embraces her link with Wicked while relishing the chance to present other sides of herself.
  • "It's the biggest honor to be associated with Wicked, honestly... But it is exciting too, to be able to sing... different facets." (13:10, Bailey)
• Song Choices: Balances past favorites and "dream shows" with a goal of a well-rounded, "sampler platter" performance.
  • "The goal is... for my audience to have a well-rounded show... a little bit of taste of everything." (13:49, Bailey)

7. The Cultural Impact of Wicked—Now with the Films

• New Audiences: The films have reinvigorated interest and drawn in a new generation.
  • "You're reaching a whole generation that's never seen the show before... The movie has been able to introduce a whole new crowd." (14:50, Bailey)
• Live Theater Magic: Despite the movies, nothing replaces the magic of seeing Wicked live.
  • "There's nothing like live theater. The movie's incredible, but when you come to see the show live, there's just a little bit of magic there." (15:56, Bailey)

8. Bringing Heart to 54 Below

• What the Audience Will Learn: Hopes people leave knowing more about her heart, background, and journey.
  • "I really hope that they see a lot of my heart and my story... my journey to Broadway and the national tour and also my future." (16:36, Bailey)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Returning to Wicked:
  "Wicked's almost a revolving door... We have a lot of friends that have turned into family." —Allison Bailey (04:48)

• On Cabaret Vulnerability:
  "It honestly haunts me before I go to bed at night... It's me... a great opportunity just to be able to share that." —Allison Bailey (12:04–12:10)

• On the Importance of Variety:
  "The goal is... for my audience just to have a well rounded show... a little bit of taste of everything." —Allison Bailey (13:49)

• On the Wicked Movie Effect:
  "How cool, because you're also reaching a whole generation that's never seen the show before." —Allison Bailey (14:50)

• On Song Teasers for 54 Below:
  "You might hear a medley of several of the characters that I love dearly." —Allison Bailey (17:17)
  "Casey and I will be singing 'Love is an Open Door.'" —Allison Bailey (17:25)

• On What She Wants Audiences to Feel:
  "I just hope my heart shines through... and just share a little bit of joy along the way." —Allison Bailey (19:17)

Highlighted Segments & Timestamps

• Returning to Wicked and Tour Life: 03:05–04:48
• Building the Cabaret Show & Collaborations: 05:04–08:36
• Musical Roots & Genre Blending: 09:02–09:58
• Suppressing the Southern Twang for Glinda: 10:22–10:48
• The Vulnerability of Solo Shows: 12:04–12:10
• Defining Herself Beyond Wicked: 13:10–14:15
• Impact of the Wicked Films: 14:50–15:56
• Cabaret Set List Teasers (Disney/Frozen medley): 17:17–17:37
• Hopes for Audience Experience at 54 Below: 16:36, 19:17

Final Takeaway

Allison Bailey’s interview is a heartfelt journey through her Wicked legacy, her musical beginnings, and the exciting, nerve-wracking process of revealing herself through her first solo cabaret performance. The episode brims with sincerity, humor, and a deep love for the theater community—offering listeners a candid portrait of a Broadway performer eager to show the world who she is, both on and off stage.