'Backstage with Eric Lindblom' Celebrates Anniversary

LITCHFIELD, CT - Eric Lindblom celebrated a milestone on the April 3 broadcast of 97.3FM WZBG’s BACKSTAGE. That Saturday’s broadcast officially marked three years behind the microphone at the Litchfield radio station for the talented community theatre actor. BACKSTAGE is a weekly radio show on Saturday mornings from 9-10am, dedicated to community theatre in and around Litchfield County.

Mr. Lindblom’s only predecessor, John Ozerhoski, was the broadcaster who approached the station managers with an idea for a one-hour long radio program dedicated to all of the community theatre in and around Litchfield County. BACKSTAGE made it's official debut on May 9, 2002.

During his tenure, “Johnny O” interviewed hundreds of actors, directors, choreographers, and music directors; he also informed listeners of upcoming shows and auditions in the area, gave away tickets to many shows and played wonderful Broadway showtunes. I was thrilled when Johnny O announced his replacement and that the program would continue. When it turned out to be a community theatre singer/dancer that I had seen in many productions, this was simply an added bonus.

Mr. Lindblom, who is a high school teacher by day, has done his best to continue in the tradition of Johnny O, while adding his own spin to the weekly proceedings, always in a professional manner. In February of 2020, he invited this reviewer to appear on his program and asked me to prepare a playlist of some of my favorite Broadway tunes to play during the hour. It was a pleasure to head to the Litchfield studio, just as I had to be on the air with Mr. Ozerhoski, in order to answer the well-prepared questions of Mr. Lindblom.

Now, of course, BACKSTAGE must be produced within the limitations of social distancing, with limited interviews done via the telephone. Virtually no in-person theatre has limited the number of productions to be promoted during the “What’s The Buzz?” segment that always happens at the half-hour mark. Thankfully, some virtual productions have been put together by local theatres, so Mr. Lindblom is able to talk about how to access these.

The host also began to feature a Broadway show, a beloved performer, or some other theme during the hour he shares with his listeners. I almost always learn something from his well-researched commentary in between the musical numbers. He often calls his time on the air his favorite part of his weekend and you can hear it in his voice.

“The adage ‘Time flies when you're having fun’ certainly applies in this case,” the BACKSTAGE host told me after his anniversary broadcast. “The past three years have flown by, seemingly in a flash. I consider it a joy and a privilege to host Backstage every week.”

“The past three years have afforded me the opportunity to highlight the wonderful theater happening in the northwest corner of the state as well as share my passion for theater with the WZBG audience,” Mr. Lindblom continued. “I look forward to many more years of hosting the show and contributing to the vibrant arts community here in Connecticut.”

Broadway lovers and theatre nerds in general like me can tune into Backstage every Saturday morning from 9 to 10am on the station that's the showcase for the arts in Litchfield County, FM 97.3 WZBG. If 9am is a bit early, you can listen to each week’s program in podcast form via Podomatic. The link for recent episodes are posted on the BACKSTAGE with Eric Lindblom Facebook page, where the host also shares a preview of the upcoming show each weekend.