Podcast appearances and mentions of jack viertel

Katie checks in with former Artistic Director of City Center Encores! and Creative Director/Senior Vice President of Jujamcyn Theaters, Jack Viertel, about his new theatre-centric novel, Broadway Melody.

FOLLIES is a Stephen Sondheim musical about looking in the mirror. What might you see? A theater? Or a parking lot? Here to discuss this complex show is the very definition of a multi-hyphenate. Jack Viertel is a producer-writer-artistic director who was not only the force behind hit musicals like Smokey Joe's Cafe and The Prom but oversaw twenty years at New York City Center Encores! He's seen more theatre than most of us put together, and today he brings context and life experience to a show filled with, well, context and life experience. Add to that a double helping of "pastiche," and we've got an episode not to be missed! Order Jack's new book Broadway Melody, filled with ghosts of Broadway past. You can also follow him on X at @jackviertel1. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out our COMPANY episode featuring Nikki Renee Daniels and Teri Ralston: Broadway Podcast Network - COMPANY with Nikki Renee Daniels & Teri Ralston Support "A Musical Theatre Podcast" by giving us a nice review and rating! You can also subscribe to PATREON! for only $1 a month to receive bonus episodes. For more great content, follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Don't forget our TeePublic Store where our original designs benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the previous episode, you heard theater producer and historian Jack Viertel share stories of how his talents and interests weren't in acting, his interactions with playwrights like Lanford Wilson, and the process of adapting a novel into a musical. Now he's back to talk about his new book Broadway Melody as well as share more lessons learned by answering the Final Five Questions in this bonus episode of Why I'll Never Make It. To listen to bonus content like Auditions Stories and get early access to these full conversations ad-free, become a subscriber by going to whyillnevermakeit.com and click Subscribe. Podcast theme music created by host and producer Patrick Oliver Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Viertel is an American theatrical producer and writer. During his 34 years at Jujamcyn Theaters from 1987 to 2021, he occupied positions including Creative Director and Senior Vice President. He was "conceiver of the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, Smokey Joe's Cafe, conceived the critically acclaimed After Midnight, and served as the dramaturg for Hairspray. The musical and movie The Prom were developed from his original concept." From 2000 to 2020, he was a producer at the Encores! series. Under his tenure, several Encores! productions transferred to Broadway, including After Midnight, The Apple Tree, Finian's Rainbow, and Gypsy. In 2003, he began lecturing at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He developed the content of his music theatre studies course into a book, The Secret Life of the American Musical, published in 2016. Reviews were largely positive, with The New York Times calling it "revelatory and entertaining." Broadway Melody traces three lives through the early ambitions and unlikely pathways that landed all of them in the same place at the same time - 1960s Broadway. Woven through its pages are the hits and flops, the making and breaking of careers, the destruction of three historic theater buildings, the plague of AIDS, the machinations of union bosses and producers, and, of course, the world outside this insular community - the audience that looks to Broadway for emotional thrills, for enlightenment, and for pure entertainment.Laced with humor and sadness, portraits of historical characters from The Street and a long view of the rise, fall and revival of Times Square itself, Broadway Melody stitches three lives - and three hearts - into the fabric of an endlessly compelling tale of the American theater.

Jack Viertel has the kind of knowledge I wish I had about Broadway history, having studied the various journeys of great shows for his book The Secret Life of the American Musical, but he's also worked with playwrights like August Wilson and Tony Kushner. He's even conceived the long running Smokey Joe's Café and the critically acclaimed After Midnight and served as dramaturg as well for Hairspray and Dear Evan Hansen. And through his many colleagues over the years he's learned the fine art of collaboration.  Subscribe or Donate to WINMI Subscribing helps support this podcast, while also giving early access to extended conversations and other bonus content. Donating can be done on a one-time on ongoing basis. So whether you subscribe or donate, your financial contribution to this podcast is greatly appreciated! If you'd like to support WINMI but have limited funds to do so, then contact me directly for reduced-price or even free access to the bonus content.   Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube ---------- Why I'll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top Theater Podcast with actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones and is a production of WINMI Media. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest this week is Jack Viertel who joins us to talk about his delightful new novel, Broadway Melody. This is one of a fascinating wave of novels that explore the history of Broadway though a combination of fictional characters and real-life Broadway figures. Jack Viertel began his theatrical career as a drama critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and then worked as a dramaturg at the Mark Taper Forum. This led to him serving three decades as Creative Director and Senior Vice President of Jujamcin Theaters where he oversaw the production of 50 Broadway plays and musicals. Simultaneously, during two of those decades, he also served as the Artistic Director of the New York City Center's Encores! series, producing 65 musical revivals. And he was a creative force behind a string of blockbuster musicals including Smokey Joe's Café, Dear Evan Hanson, and Hairspray. He taught musical theater at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Secret Life of The American Musical. I want to thank all of our Broadway Nation Patron Club members, including our longtime Producer Level patrons, Paula & Steve Reynolds. Their generous support helps to make it possible for me to bring this podcast to you each week. If you would like to support the creation of Broadway Nation, here is the information about how you too can become a patron. Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation! For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment of your vital support of this podcast. And if you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack talked with Len Berman and Michael Riedel about his new book "Broadway Melody." Jack has been mesmerized with Broadway since he was 6 years old.

From being a New York Times Best Selling Author to former Artistic Director of Encores! at New York City Center, and former Senior Vice President of Jujamcyn Theaters, Jack Viertel is a true Broadway expert. U Guys, this week's BroadwayWorld Recap has some very exciting Bway news, brought to you by BroadwayWorld.com. Then I am joined by a true expert of Broadway knowledge, Jack Viertel! Jack is a producer, professor, and dramaturg whose book, The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built, made him a New York Times Best Selling Author. We talk about his extensive career in New York City theater, including his hand in co-creating the Encores! series at New York City Center, serving as Artistic Director for twenty years. He shares his experiences in producing new musicals, having also served as Senior Vice President of Jujamcyn Theaters, which owns and operates five Broadway theaters. Jack's latest artistic endeavor is his new novel, Broadway Melody, which hits shelves on April 2nd, 2024. Jack is an absolute wealth of knowledge and such a delight, U don't want to miss this episode! Follow the pod on Instagram: @ohmypoduguys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a Cabaret Artist or Guest Entertainer who wants to take your show to the next level? Then this is the episode for you because share with you some really valuable insights that will help you take your existing show to new commercial and creative success AND help those of you just starting out to create the best and most commercially successful show possible. Everything in this episode is based on my experience creatively directing live shows for the winners of TV talent shows, from auditioning, booking and directing cruise performers and managing a booking team that issued over 8000 entertainer contracts a year. I also work to support new performers, producers, writers and creatives around the world. If you would like individual or specialist support after the show just drop me an email at jasonwardcreative@gmail.com There are FIVE KEY AREAS to consider when creating and developing a Cabaret or Guest Entertainer Show; 1. Your Show Is A Product - Think about it in the 3rd person  2.What Is Your Show About -  Audiences engage when they know what your show is about. It could be your journey, your world view or what inspires you. 3.Structure Your Show - Start with the classic musical theatre structure described by Jack Viertel in The Secret Life Of The American Musical; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Life-American-Musical-Broadway/dp/0374536899 4. Communicate Your Show - Work on crafting a one liner that describes your show to bookers (and to you!) 5. Next Steps - Look at ways to commercialise your show that will allow you to explore other opportunities   Please like and share the show and I would love to hear your feedback. Follow me on Instagram for tips, insights and inspiration @jasonwardcreative TikTok @jasoncreativedirector LinkedIN linkedin.com/in/jason-ward-creative Get full access to The Jason Ward Creative Substack at jasonwardcreative.substack.com/subscribe

Jack Viertel will take part in The Stars and Stripes Shaded Green, a series of public readings exploring Irish American theatre at Druid - Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, was released in cinemas in November 1942, 80 years ago this month - Nutcracker Sweeties by Ballet Ireland, an Irish twist on The Nutcracker.

Mrs. Doubtfire is "Rockin' Now" on Broadway so take a listen to hear "About [our] Time" there and how we felt about this show. Note: we do talk through the entire show so minor spoilers ahead (especially if you haven't seen the movie)! -- If you'd rather see what the pros had to say, the critics were also fairly mixed for this show, as told by the Did They Like It review roundup. Want to hear more about the behind the scenes of the show? Here is the panel interview Christine references in this episode on Variety's Stagecraft podcast. Once again, Christine is recommending The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel to get a glimpse of how musicals are structured. If you're interested in some. of the specific changes the show has gone through, take a dive into the Broadway World Message Boards, where users have cataloged the differences. -- While a cast album has been recorded, it has not been released yet, so music clips in this episode come from a variety of performances and rehearsal footage. Easy Peasy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tNJjssOOqA&ab_channel=Broadwaycom I Want to Be There: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pabfNNNt9Q&ab_channel=theatermania What the Hell/About Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHwtdsiI5rs&ab_channel=NerdNewsToday Rockin' Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jso4KYfWY Let Go (song appears at 39:24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4CEtR-Jgo&ab_channel=StarsInTheHouse Just Pretend: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CG8DZalhaZu/ As Long as There Is Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFWGntd5Bi4&ab_channel=Mrs.DoubtfireBroadway -- Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BottomlessBway, our blog at https://bottomlessbway.home.blog/, or email us at bottomlessbway@gmail.com! You can also leave feedback in this 30-second survey.

The best SNL. Ever. Broadway News: The Broadway cast of A STRANGE LOOP will feature Jaquel Spivey, in his Broadway debut, as Usher. He joins original cast members Antwayn Hopper (Thought 6), L Morgan Lee (Thought 1), John-Michael Lyles (Thought 3), James Jackson, Jr. (Thought 2), John-Andrew Morrison (Thought 4), and Jason Veasey (Thought 5). A Strange Loop follows Usher: a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. The Pulitzer prize winning play is written by Michael R. Jackson. Previews will begin at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and opening night is set for Tuesday, April 26, 2022. To Kill A Mockingbird ended its run this past Sunday at the Shubert Theatre and plans to move to the Belasco Theatre this June. The move follows the news that Girl from the North Country will close at the Belasco Theatre on Jan. 23, with plans for spring return at another theater. To Kill a Mockingbird begins performances at the Belasco on June 1, with Greg Kinnear returning as Atticus Finch.  The Off-Broadway hit The Wrong Man from Ross Golan has become the world's first non-fungible token (NFT) musical. The digital collectibles available to buy will be a mix of music, graphics, and film, including the full animated musical, vinyl, posters featuring artwork from the musical, and a previously unreleased track from Golan. In addition, a new production of the musical is in the works for a 2023 premiere. The Kite Runner, a new play with music based on Khaled Hosseini's internationally best-selling novel, will play a limited run at Broadway's Hayes Theater this summer. The production comes to New York from two seasons in London's West End where it was called "a cultural phenomenon" by The Sunday Express and "an enthralling tale beautifully told" by The Daily Telegraph. Performances will begin on July 6; opening night is July 21 and it will run through October 30.   Jack Viertel has retired as senior vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters after 34 years with the company. Lyricist Tim Rice said on his podcast, Get Onto My Cloud that a Broadway revival of Chess, his 1986 musical written with composers Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, is on its way and a team is in place. Casting: Shoshana Bean will join the Broadway cast of Mr. Saturday Night, producers announced last week. The production will start previews on March 29, 2022, ahead of an April 27 opening. Broadway's Tony-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical welcomes Eric Anderson as Harold Zidler beginning this week! Danny Burstein, who earned Tony and Outer Critics Circle Awards as well as the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, played his final performance last week. Nick Rashad Burroughs will take over the role of Ike in the Broadway company of Tina. Burroughs is currently in the musical's ensemble and will play the role starting this week. Daniel J. Watts, who originated the role, played his final performance last week. Burroughs has previously appeared on Broadway in “Kinky Boots” and “King Kong.” John Earl Jelks will join the Broadway cast of “Birthday Candles,” starring alongside Debra Messing. John replaces Andre Braugher, who had been set to make his Broadway debut with the show in 2020. Follow @BwayPodNetwork on Twitter. Find co-hosts on Twitter at @AyannaPrescod, @CLewisReviews, and @TheMartinAcuna. Subscribe To BPN's newsletter HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jay Binder…A Life in Casting we talk with Jay Binder and host, Mark Peikert as they discuss the much beloved Encores! series at City Center. From its simple concert style beginnings in 1994, to the most recent and fully produced musical, MACK AND MABEL, Jay and Mark, along with special guest star, former Encores Artistic Director, Jack Viertel, discuss the casting process, favorite shows and stars.

The New Yorkers, a risqué collaboration between New Yorker cartoonist Peter Arno, Cole Porter, and Herbert Fields, hasn’t been seen onstage since it debuted in 1930. In fact, it hasn’t really existed, at least not in the sense of there being a definitive script of the show. The New Yorkers provides us with a fascinating snapshot of the Broadway musical at a time when it was still as much revue as “book musical,” and of an entertainment industry that hadn’t yet been muzzled by production codes that attempted to enforce “public decency.” Now, New York City Center Encores! has revived The New Yorkers, with the help of some archival research and some additions from other Cole Porter shows. Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel spoke with the Theatre History Podcast to explain how this version of the show, which runs from March 22 – 26, captures the spirit of the original production.

Scandal at Painted Rock.  Working out to music works (duh). Farewell to Jack Viertel.  Soggy Riverside Park.  Why Baseball is so Slow.  When Lobby Art goes ka-Ching.  No success with supplements.  Bachelorette Budget Buster.  Electric Dream Car. Credits:   Talent:  Tamsen Granger and Dan Abuhoff Special Guest: Sadie Abuhoff Engineer:  Ellie Suttmeier Art:  Zeke Abuhoff  

Jack Viertel is the senior vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters, which owns and operates five Broadway theaters. He has been involved in dozens of productions presented by Jujamcyn since 1987. He has also helped shepherd six of August Wilson’s plays to Broadway. He is the artistic director of New York City Center’s acclaimed Encores! series. He conceived the long-running Smokey Joe’s Cafe, as well as the 2018 hit Prom, and has been a creative consultant on many shows, including Hairspray, A Christmas Story, and Dear Evan Hansen.  We talked about the terrific reviews for Prom, and his thoughts on original musicals, as well as . . . How working as a critic made him a better Producer. What every single musical absolutely needs in order to work . . . and his example of a show that gets away without it. The role of the theater owner – how it has changed over the years. What former NEA Chair and Jujamcyn Theater President Rocco Landesman said to him after a flop that he still takes with him to this day. What made him want to give it all up years ago . . . and how he got through that. After you listen in, make sure you pick up his book, The Secret Life of the American Musical (a great holiday gift) to read more. This week's episode is brought to you by Copacabana Coffee, a well-known online, high quality coffee store. Check them out at: copacabanacoffee.com Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway www.theproducersperspective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys are fortunate to be joined by Amy Birnbaum Sr. Director, Artist Relations, Marketing and PR for Round Hill Music in NYC! Proving once again that there are terrific humans roaming the music industry. Our conversation covers her early years dancing, singing and performing all the way up to the present in her position with Round Hill Music…and everything in between! Amy gives us a terrific upbeat look at the world of music Publishing and the necessary hustle to make a career in music work!! A little about Amy: After having worked in Broadway production at Jujamcyn Theaters (Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, HAIR, Spring Awakening, American Idiot), Amy had the honor of working in company management and music marketing on the Tony Award winning Broadway production and US National Tour of FELA! Amy has performed, produced events and booked bands at Bonnarroo, SXSW, Calgary Folk Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Summerstage, Lincoln Center’s Songbook Series, Al Sharpton events, Brooklyn Bowl, Joe’s Pub, The Apollo, Bowery Ballroom, The Knitting Factory, The Troubador LA. She was proudly a backup singer and manager for Daptone Records artist Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens and has shared the stage with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Roots, Burning Spear,  Langhorne Slim, as well as having recorded with Mark Ronson and Foreigner.  Prior to working in Broadway production, Amy had the fortunate opportunity to work with some of the most talented actors, directors and producers: Billy Crudup, Jeremy Piven, Christine Ebersole, Richard Kind, Edie Falco, Mary Louise Parker, Tony Award winning director Michael Mayer, Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowments for the Arts and Jack Viertel, creative director of Encores! at City Center. Amy is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Music Vocal Performance and a minor in Communications.  She is currently developing an original Broadway Musical with members of the Daptone family. Amy signs talent to the Round Hill Music publishing roster and is proud to develop and maintain relationships between the company and its gifted writers. As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to: https://m3artist.com/contact Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends! You got this, we got your back!

Theatrical producer Jack Vertiel talks history and influence of theatre in his book, “The Secret Life of The American Musical”.

It's a summer of intersections between theater and political commentary, with an upcoming Broadway show that calls itself "subversive." It has WNYC's Sara Fishko thinking about Broadway, music, and politics - in this edition of Fishko Files. Michael Moore's one-man Broadway show, "The Terms of My Surrender," starts previewing at the Belasco Theatre tomorrow. Jack Viertel is the Senior VP of Jujamcyn Theaters and Artistic Director of New York City Center Encores!. He has been involved in dozens of productions including "City of Angels" and "Angels in America," and is the author of The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows are Built. Laurence Maslon teaches at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and is the host of WPPB's Broadway to Main Street. His most recent publication is American Musicals: The Complete Books and Lyrics of Sixteen Broadway Classics.   WNYC Production Credits Executive Producer: Sara FishkoAssistant Producer: Olivia BrileyMix Engineer: Wayne ShulmisterEditor: Kaari Pitkin

By Michael Lueger, Jack Viertel. Michael Lueger and Jack Viertel talk about The New Yorkers.

Jack Viertel is a human encyclopedia of musical theater. He’s the producer of hit Broadway shows like “Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots,” and “The Producers.” And he’s also the artistic director of Encores, a New York series that resurrects vintage musicals. Viertel’s book “The Secret Life of the American Musical—How Broadway Shows are Built,” reveals the essential elements of a musical.  This spring, he joined Kurt in the studio to give us all a master class in the genre. (Originally aired April 21, 2016) More of Kurt’s favorite conversations of 2016 can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Lisa Lampanelli on her new play Stuffed; and Jack Viertel, author of The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built; and unique theatrical experience The Ride.

City Center Encores! Artistic Director, and Jujamcyn Senior Vice-President, Jack Viertel welcomes Rob and Kevin into his office to discuss the many hats he wears. Also, Jack's lunches with August Wilson, bringing Leiber & Stoller to Broadway, and Jack reveals the "deep, dark secrets" of conceiving the perfect revue. Plus: Dramaturgy in musicals, how an Encores! season is planned, and where to get the best BBQ in NYC! Jack's new book, The Secret Life Of The American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built, is available for purchase here: http://amzn.to/1QuMg78

This week, Sally Denton talks about “The Profiteers”; Alexandra Alter has news from the literary world; Jack Viertel discusses “The Secret Life of the American Musical”; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Pamela Paul is the host.

An iconic moment in American history is the subject of a new Broadway revue at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. After Midnight purports to take its audience to a Jazz Age Harlem nightclub. It was a time and place in which America’s new music, jazz, was burgeoning. Conceived by Jack Viertel, and directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, this new show pays homage to the Cotton Club and other Harlem hotpots that had their heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. The show features more than 25 songs from the era, with an emphasis on both compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington. The production features the Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino in the role of Special Guest Star, and actor Dulé Hill as The Host. The producers plan to keep this show around, too. They’ve booked pop singer K.D. Lang to replace Barrino this coming February, and a double bill of R&B singers Babyface and Toni Braxton to follow Lang in mid-March. With a cast of more than 40, including the band, this is a high-wattage production. New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood lets us know if all that 20th century juice can light up Broadway almost 90 years later.

The extraordinary legacy of playwright August Wilson and his 10-play cycle of African-American life in the 20th Century is explored in a two-part program. First, a panel of Wilson's collaborators -- producer James Houghton (Signature Theatre Company), dramaturg Todd Kreidler, director Kenny Leon (Radio Golf, Gem of the Ocean), actor/director Ruben Santiago Hudson (Tony Award winner for 1997’s Seven Guitars), producer Jack Viertel (Radio Golf) -- discuss the process of developing and producing Wilson's plays. In the second half, the depth and variety of Wilson's characters are explored by Stephen McKinley Henderson (Jitney, King Hedley II), Harry Lennix (Radio Golf), Tonya Pinkins (Tony winner for Jelly’s Last Jam) and Phylicia Rashad Gem of the Ocean and 2004 Tony winner for the revival of A Raisin in the Sun), joined by director Kenny Leon.

The extraordinary legacy of playwright August Wilson and his 10-play cycle of African-American life in the 20th Century is explored in a two-part program. First, a panel of Wilson's collaborators -- producer James Houghton (Signature Theatre Company), dramaturg Todd Kreidler, director Kenny Leon ("Radio Golf", "Gem of the Ocean"), actor/director Ruben Santiago Hudson ("Gem of the Ocean", "Seven Guitars"), producer Jack Viertel ("Radio Golf") -- discuss the process of developing and producing Wilson's plays. In the second half, the depth and variety of Wilson's characters are explored by Stephen McKinley Henderson ("Jitney", "King Hedley II"), Harry Lennix ("Radio Golf"), Tonya Pinkins ("Radio Golf") and Phylicia Rashad ("Gem of the Ocean"), joined by director Kenny Leon.

On "The Evolution of Encores!", guests Judith E. Daykin (founder), Rob Fisher (music director from founding to 2006), David Ives (book adapter for 18 productions) and Jack Viertel (artistic director since 2001) discuss the growth and success of the acclaimed musical concert series at New York's City Center, exploring how "Encores!" grew out of a concert at BAM in the late 80s; how the international success of "Chicago" impacted the series; how shows are selected; whether the addition of costumes, choreography and other "production" elements have moved the series away from its original goals; and whether there are shows they shouldn't have done or wish they could do again.

On "The Evolution of Encores!", guests Judith E. Daykin (founder), Rob Fisher (music director from founding to 2006), David Ives (book adapter for 18 productions) and Jack Viertel (artistic director since 2001) discuss the growth and success of the acclaimed musical concert series at New York's City Center, exploring how "Encores!" grew out of a concert at BAM in the late 80s; how the international success of "Chicago" impacted the series; how shows are selected; whether the addition of costumes, choreography and other "production" elements have moved the series away from its original goals; and whether there are shows they shouldn't have done or wish they could do again.

Jack Viertel, artistic director of the "Encores!" series at New York City Center, traces the evolution of the acclaimed concert stagings of little-seen musicals and offers a glimpse into how their classic shows come together with a short rehearsal period for a five-performance run. Original air date - January 21, 2005.

Jack Viertel, artistic director of the "Encores!" series at New York City Center, traces the evolution of the acclaimed concert stagings of little-seen musicals and offers a glimpse into how their classic shows come together with a short rehearsal period for a five-performance run. Original air date - January 21, 2005.