Hosted by Laurence Maslon, BROADWAY TO MAIN STREET is a weekly radio program devoted to the greatest songs of the American Musical Theater. Originating from WPPB 88.3FM on Long Island's East End, each weekly episode celebrates the shows, stars, songwriters, and cultural phenomena that makes Broadw…
The Broadway to Main Street podcast is the perfect balance of entertainment and education for its audience. Each episode provides a unique experience by introducing a catalog of music while also delivering interesting facts and insights. The format may be similar, but there's always a new surprise every week. If you're looking for more than just a traditional radio experience, Broadway to Main Street is the perfect avenue for you.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the themed episodes. These episodes showcase the breadth and depth of the Broadway genre, allowing listeners to explore different themes and eras within musical theater. It's a great way to discover new shows and songs while also appreciating classics. The host, Larry Maslon, does an excellent job in curating these episodes and providing context and background information that enhances the listener's understanding and enjoyment.
Another highlight of the Broadway to Main Street podcast is Larry Maslon himself. As the host, he feels like an old friend with his warm and engaging presence. His extensive knowledge as a professor of musical theater at NYU shines through in each episode as he shares interesting tidbits about the history and significance of the songs being played. It's clear that he has a genuine passion for Broadway, which makes listening to him a delight.
Despite its many strengths, one potential downside of this podcast is its reliance on popular songs from certain shows. While it's understandable that well-known songs are chosen to appeal to a wide audience, there might be missed opportunities to showcase lesser-known gems from these shows or even instrumental tracks that deserve recognition. Additionally, some listeners have expressed their desire for episodes dedicated to specific topics such as shows made into movies or movies adapted for the stage.
In conclusion, The Broadway to Main Street podcast offers a delightful experience for both casual listeners and avid Broadway fans alike. With its entertaining yet educational approach, it provides an avenue to explore the rich world of musical theater while learning something new each week. Larry Maslon's expertise and passion make him an excellent host, and the themed episodes allow for a diverse and enjoyable listening experience. Despite some minor drawbacks, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone who loves Broadway.
We look back at Broadway fifty years ago to see what was worthy of recognition then. A lot, as it turns out: The Wiz, Angela Lansbury in Gypsy, Shenandoah, Bernadette Peters and much much more.
A special tribute to a great composer, Charles Strouse. Classic and rare tunes from Golden Boy, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, Applause and many more.
As a run-up to the Great Performances l PBS broadcast of "Girl from the North Country" (May 23), we gather 'round the Bob Dylan legacy and the Broadway songbook, including many renditions by Dylan himself.
Following Tolstoi's dictum, we look at all sorts of families across the years on Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof, Next to Normal, Falsettos, The Addams Family and more.
We march through a tribute to the composer/lyricist with a variety of performances--Mary Testa, Christian Borle, Malcolm Gets, Finn himself--with classics and rarities.
Look out--Bobby Darin is back, in Just in Time with Jonathan Groff on Broadway. Here is Darin working his magic with more than a dozen Broadway classics--giving you the real thing,Â
Unless you just want to conga, join us to enjoy this great Bernstein-Comden-Green score; renditions by Rosalind Russell, Donna Murphy, Audra McDonald, Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews and more.Â
We open up the funny papers and celebrate Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, Little Orphan Annie and all the other great cartoon and comic strip characters that made it to Broadway.
Taking our cue from the new Broadway musical Operation Mincemeat, we look at songs that inspired--and were inspired by-- the WWII homefront here and in the UK: Bernstein, Berlin, Coward, Weill, Bart and more.Â
To celebrate the upcoming Encores! concert of this rare Kurt Weill/Alan Jay Lerner musical, we're putting together a version of the score with performances by Jo Stafford, Nanette Fabray, Kaye Ballard and Victoria Clark and others.
Three of the greatest pop-rock voices of the 1970s--Toni Tennille, Karen Carpenter, and Linda Ronstadt--contributed some beautiful renditions of our favorite show tunes; you'll be on top of the world.
The highways and by-ways of the American musical in songs from 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Park Avenue....you get the idea.
Hey, how are ya? This masterful comedian held down several major musicals on stage, film, and TV--we play some of the hilarious highlights.
Each day is Valentine's Day here at Broadway to Main Street, but we are joined by Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano for a glimpse at their new album, Painting the Town, and some gorgeous Broadway romantic duets.
Together we go through a bouquet of Roses--Ethel, Angela, Bernadette, Patti and more--to celebrate the current revival of this remarkable Styne/Sondheim/Laurents musical.
We begin our 14th year on the air with a round-up of songs I like from shows I don't; everybody's favorites but mine: The Golden Apple, Wonderful Town, Pippin, Into the Woods and more.
We look at a monumental score by Kern and Hammerstein that just keeps rolling along in imaginative and compelling renditions by Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Bill Evans, Audra McDonald, Peggy Lee and more.
The inimitable Broadway performers who exited stage right in 2024; grand knowing Gavin Creel, Glynis Johns, Steve Lawrence, Janis Paige, Ken Page, and so many more.
It's "Happy Holidays" with our special guest, Bryce Pinkham, as we "spin" favorites of the season including great songs performed by Michael Bublé, Judy Garland, Steve and Eydie, and Mr. Pinkham himself.
Santa Claus is giving a preview of some of the best end-of-year show tune releases. Performances by Cynthia Erivo, Jeremy Jordan, Nicole Scherzinger, and Stephen Sondheim, among many others.
Malefactors and miscreants from the musical: songs from Pirates of Penzance, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Cats: plus mad scientists, gangsters, and cat burglars.
Louis Armstrong finally pops up on his own "Broadway to Main Street" program, inimitably offering tunes from Porgy and Bess, Mame, Call Me Madam, Hello Dolly! (of course) and many more.
To tee up the Great Performances/ PBSÂ Henry Mancini concert at the Hollywood Bowl (11/29), we'll have an hour of great songs with music by legendary composer Henry Mancini, performed by an all-star ensemble: Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis, Jr., Steve Lawrence, Julie Andrews and more.
We've an all-star line-up, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Margaret Whiting, Sammy Davis, Jr. and more, with Broadway songs of optimism, hope, and good cheer.
A terrific NoĂ«l Coward score launched Elaine Stritch on the voyage to stardom in this 1961 musical. We play selections from the Broadway cast album, the London cast album and more, including performances from the Master, too. (Support from the NoĂ«l Coward Foundation.)Â
This great singer made the Broadway songbook one of his favorite things. We honor his legacy with his selections from Man of La Mancha, Little Me, She Loves Me, and many, many more.
It's witchcraft--and a great season for witches on "Blood-vay to Main Street'! Count Larry Maslon cooks up a cauldron of tunes from Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and more.
It's great big show on "Broadway to Main Street": Norbert Leo Butz joins us for selections from The Last Five Years, Dirty Rotten Soundrels, My Fair Lady, and more.
Let the drums roll out--MasterVoices leader Ted Sperling joins me to discuss this new version of the Gershwins/Kaufman classic musicals, with songs in renditions by Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Kiri Te Kanawa, Tony Bennett and more.
Birthdays and Broadway: from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Jason Robert Brown--with a lot of birthday candles in-between.
We welcome in 5785 with a repertoire of great Jewish influences on the Broadway musical: Al Jolson, Fiddler on the Roof, Fanny Brice, Harmony and so much more.
Our tribute to the "King of Café Society" includes indelible performances of material by Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Noël Coward and more.
All you have to do is dream--and tune into our broadcast: Jennifers Holliday and Hudson, Beyoncé, Audra McDonald, Diana Ross and more deliver one of the great scores of the 1980s.
Cheers to the Master on his 125th birthday; we look at his fine art of songwriting through some modern singers, including Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews, Paul McCartney, Barbara Fasano and more. (Supported by the Noel Coward Foundation.)
It's a new season and new beginnings abound: rousing numbers for the fall from Sweet Charity, The Wiz, 13, Mame, Seesaw, and more.
Woof! To showcase the current production of Young Frankenstein The Musical at Bay Street Theater, we look again at Mel Brooks's many forays into musical theatre: Madeline Kahn, Nathan Lane, Mel himself and more.
It's a Man-cin-tennial: great songs with music by legendary composer Henry Mancini, performed by an all-star ensemble: Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis, Jr., Steve Lawrence, Julie Andrews and more.Â
Glowin', crowin', and still goin' strong--we look at the Divine Miss M's career and her devotion to the Broadway songbook with author Kevin Winkler.
Mature characters and mature perspectives: let's listen to the wisdom of age. Songs from Pippin, A Little Night Music, Knickerbocker Holiday, Take Me Along and more.
Few pop singers captured the Broadway songbook as well as Margaret Whiting; here's to her 100th with show tunes by Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hart and many more.
Look--a new broadcast has begun. Our first episode on this groundbreaking show, meow and forever. Original London cast, Broadway cast and a few surprises.
Novels, short stories, historical events, comic strips, even paintings--they said it couldn't be done, but the geniuses of the American musical did it! My Fair Lady, 1776, Annie, Sunday in the Park Hamilton and more!
The perfect Fourth of July musical. So, sit down for an hour with this classic as we hear the Broadway cast and the rare film soundtrack, united for posterity.
An overview of this year's 2024 Tony Awards. Selections from all the major nominees: Hell's Kitchen, The Outsiders, Suffs, Merrily We Roll Along, and more.
In our run-up to the 2024 Tonys, we look at Broadway 50 years ago: Raisin, Seesaw, Over Here! plus performances by Christopher Plummer, Michelle Lee, Alfred Drake, Lewis J. Stadlen and more.
Since Stephen Sondheim's passing in 2021, there have been several exciting revivals and revitalizations; here are a few: Merrily We Roll Along, Here We Are, Into the Woods, Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway and more.
To tee up the "Rodgers and Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert" on Great Performances l PBS on May 31st, I've selected some of my favorite things: performances by Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Nina Simone, Ray Charles and a surrey full of others.
In preparation for the PBS/Great Performances concert of Audra McDonald from the London Palladium (May 17), we play some of her finest moments from across her storied career: rarities and Tony-winners.
We're kicking off the WNET Group's month-long television/radio tribute to Broadway with a special episode of game changers and groundbreakers: Show Boat, Pal Joey, Company, The Producers, Hamilton, and more.
In classic American musicals, there's usually a supporting--other--couple. Here's a tribute to Nathan and Adelaide, Ado Annie and Will Parker, Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, and many more.
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