Podcasts about Sondheim

The character motivation for Wilson is all laid out in the song "The Game." Shannon Migliore returns to discuss the slight differences between how it appears in Bounce, versus how it shows up in Road Show. Neither really understands poker. Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_pretty_sleeperSend feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

John Ahlin and Christopher Patrick Mullen are the creators and stars of Chip & Gus: A Comedy with Balls, an amazing two hander in which the two title characters resolve the crisis in their relationship while playing ping-pong at the same time. John and Chris discuss how their shared expertise in table tennis and experience as actors led them to create this unique theatrical event; how the play both is and isn't autobiographical; how they navigate “the Wild West of entertainment” that is the Edinburgh Fringe; how, like Harpo Marx playing the harp on screen, the playing of ping pong onstage also requires no acting; what has to happen when you introduce “Chekhov's Balls;” how the characters of a drowning man and the person least qualified to save him became the subject of their play; multiple sport, game, and Sondheim references; comparisons to the RSC's The Complete World of Sports (abridged); and how, in all the years they've volleyed together – both onstage and at table tennis – they've never played a competitive game to win. (Length 23:00) The post Comedies With Balls appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The last song written for the show(s) is a sweet tune about two brothers. Does it add anything? Evan Lopes joins Kyle to figure that out. Learn more about SPARC Theater by clicking here. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is the second part of my recent conversation with author Margaret Hall, the remarkable young theater historian whose new book is titled Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one. Margaret spent much of the pandemic interviewing Paul Gemignani who is without a doubt one of the most significant figures in the history of modern Broadway musical. Beginning as a replacement with the original production of Follies in 1971 Gemignani served as the Music Director for more than 40 Broadway musicals including Sweeney Todd, Evita, Sunday In The Park With George, On The 20th Century, and Into The Woods to name only a few.  Margaret's book takes us behind the scenes of those acclaimed productions and illuminates the crucial role that music directors play in the creation, development, and success of a musical. Paul Gemignani's incredible talent and theatrical know how made him the first-choice music director, and indispensable collaborator of both Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince. As you will hear, after Sondheim and Prince ended their creative partnership and went their separate ways, Paul Gemignani was often pulled back and forth and caught in the middle between these two great artists and their various projects. As we ended the previous episode the legendary Music Director Hal Hasting's had unexpectedly died and Paul Gemignani has suddenly been drafted to replace him as the Music Director of A Little Night Music the new Prince and Sondheim musical that has just opened.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kennedy Caughell joins Kyle to discuss her debut album, Just the Beginning, which highlights a variety of stellar musicals in which she has appeared, including Wicked, 9 to 5, and Waitress. Also on the album is a cover of "Being Alive."To pre-order the album you can click here. Follow Kennedy on Instagram by clicking here.Check tour dates for Hell's Kitchen by clicking here. Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Before Liz Callaway sang “Memory” on Broadway, before she became the singing voice of Anastasia, before the Tony nomination, Emmy Award and Grammy nomination, she was a shy kid who waited for everyone to leave the house so she could sing.She knew she had a voice.She just wasn't ready for anyone else to hear it.That began to change when Callaway discovered musical theater as a teenager. At a difficult moment in her family life, the stage gave her something she had been searching for: community.“I loved being in a cast,” she remembers. “I had friends for the first time.”That sense of belonging changed the direction of her life.This week on HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with Tony and Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning performer Liz Callaway for an intimate conversation about the unlikely path from shy teenager to one of Broadway and animation's most beloved voices.At 18, Callaway moved to New York with her sister, singer and composer Ann Hampton Callaway. Just a year later, she made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. She would go on to earn a Tony nomination for Baby, perform in Miss Saigon and spend five years as Grizabella in Cats, singing one of musical theater's most recognizable songs, “Memory.”Then her voice found another stage.Callaway became the singing voice of Odette in The Swan Princess and Anastasia in the beloved animated film Anastasia, opposite Meg Ryan's speaking performance. Years later, fans began approaching her at concerts and telling her something she could never have known when those movies were first released.Her voice had become part of their childhood.Today, her voice continues to reach new generations. Callaway recently voiced the Speaker of God in Hazbin Hotel Season 2, introducing her to younger listeners who suddenly realized that the voice they were hearing also belonged to Anastasia and Odette.And soon, audiences in Northeastern Pennsylvania can hear that voice in person.On Friday, August 21 at 6 p.m., Liz Callaway returns to Harmony in the Woods in Hawley for Liz Callaway: Broadway & Beyond, an intimate outdoor concert featuring music from across her remarkable career.Callaway tells Lisa that audiences can expect Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, “Memory” from Cats and songs from Anastasia, along with stories about the unexpected road that brought her from the quiet kid singing alone at home to stages around the world.For tickets, visit https://harmonyinthewoods.org/

My guest this week is Margaret Hall, a remarkable young theater historian who is the author of the celebrated new book Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond. As you will hear, Margaret spent much of the pandemic interviewing Paul Gemignani who is without a doubt one of the most significant, and at the same time most under-appreciated, figures in the history of modern musical. Since 1971 Paul Gemignani has served as the Music Director for more than 40 Broadway productions including Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, and Crazy for You, to name only a few. His incredible talent and theatrical know-how made him the first-choice music director, and indispensable collaborator of Kander & Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Harold Prince. Margaret's book not only takes us behind the scenes and into the orchestra pit of many of the most significant and acclaimed productions in Broadway history, it also illuminates the crucial role that music directors play in the creation, development, and performance of a musical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If I had a nickel for every time a character in a Sondheim show, named Nellie, asked the question "what's your rush?" I'd have ten cents. That's kinda weird isn't it? Dimitris Dimopoulos returns to discuss what is, perhaps, the least remembered song from the show(s).Follow Dimitris on Instagram. Karagiozis as Rigoletto on Greek National Opera TV.Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the Broadway musical: Dreamgirls! This hit show known widely for its very successful movie adaption is an absolute powerhouse of a show with an absolute powerhouse of a cast! With one of the most iconic Tony performances ever, this show was a huge success and launched many careers! Fingers crossed we finally get that new revival in the fall!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 109, Brennan is joined by NYC-based actor, Miracle Myles, as they chat about the ever-changing landscape of the industry, enduring burnout, and honing in on individuality in artistic expression. Life is too short to be worrying about what you “should” do, and not taking time for the things that bring you joy!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

This is the third and final part of my conversation with Ben Francis whose amazingly compelling new book is titled Careful the Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical. Just like the book, our discussion has been structured around Sondheim's collaborators. In this episode we discuss his work with George Furth, John Weidman, Hugh Wheeler & James Lapine. And, as always, Sondheim's mentor and surrogate father Oscar Hammerstein II plays a big role in this conversation as well. Along the way nearing everyone of Sondheim's musicals are discussed including A Little Night Music, Anyone Can Whistle, Assassins, Company, Do I Hear A Waltz?, Follies, Gypsy, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion, Road Show, Sunday In The Park With George, Sweeney Todd, and West Side Story as well as Rodgers & Hammerstein's Allegro. Ben Francis' other works include contributions to the Oxford Handbook Of Sondheim Studies, the Oxford Handbook of British Musicals, and the Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare and Music, as well as Christopher Hampton: Dramatic Ironist. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Broadway Nation Patron Club members including our inaugural members Roger Kloresse, Neil Hoyt, and Chris Moad. My sincere thanks to all three of you for your loyal support! If you would like to help support the work of Broadway Nation I will information at the end of the podcast about how you too can become a Patron. If you are a fan ofBroadway Nation, I invite you too to become a PATRON! For a 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 acknowledgement 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

Gold! The Mizner brothers are headed for Alaska to find their fortune. Will C. White returns to discuss this song's history throughout the iterations of the show and some of the tricky wordplay within. Check out Will's website.Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the heartwarming Broadway musical, Come From Away. This Celtic/ Canadian folk-rock musical is both entertaining and educational, and sheds a little a little sliver of light among one of the darkest moments in American history.Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Claybourne Elder is a Grammy, SAG, Drama Desk, and Lucille Lortel nominee. He played John Adams on HBO's hit series “The Gilded Age” and was most recently seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company, starring Patti LuPone. He is known for his performances on Broadway in Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song, and Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl. Other New York performances include Hollis in Sondheim's Road Show, Strike Up the Band at Carnegie Hall, Do I Hear a Waltz? at New York City Center, and Allegro at Classic Stage Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Papa's message to his sons becomes far less comedic in Road Show. And if the melody sounds familiar that's because you may have heard it in a cut song from Assassins! Charlotte LeMay returns to discuss the purpose for this song in the show and whether the message actually lands.You can contact Charlotte here: charlottelemay1@icloud.comSend feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, Mackenzie reunites with Scott Hurst and welcomes back former cohost Autumn Smith for a long-overdue conversation about one of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's most daring musicals, Assassins.Together, they explore why Assassins remains one of the most challenging shows ever written, debating whether productions lose their power when they play the material "safe" instead of forcing audiences to sit with its discomfort. They also celebrate Sondheim's masterful use of musical pastiche while finding themselves divided over the show's final emotional turn. Does the late added song "Something Just Broke" offer audiences a necessary moment of collective grief, or does it provide a convenient escape hatch that lets us identify with the victims instead of confronting the uncomfortable humanity of the assassins themselves?All this, and remember—everybody's got the right... on this week's all-new episode!Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the musical “Hairspray” directed by Bill English, at San Francisco Playhouse through September 12, 2026.           Text of Review: The Golden Age of the Broadway musical faded in the sixties, the age of Sondheim and the pop opera died before the new century, and since then, the Great White Way has atrophied into a world of corporate jukeboxes, pointless renderings of hit movies, little shows that could, and hits that never close. And then there's 2003's Hairspray, now in a fine production at San Francisco Playhouse through September 12th. It's not as if the show vanished; it pops up frequently in community theaters these days, filling in the gaps between the spelling bee Audrey II, Hedwig and a host of Sondheims. But without a Broadway revival, Hairspray never inserted itself into the canon. And it should, particularly now. John Waters' most mainstream film from 1988 was a tribute to the outsiders, outcasts and freaks he grew up with in Baltimore, those very people inhabiting his earlier films, notably his muse, the drag superstar Divine, Harris Glen Milstead, cast as Edna Turnblad, mother of the full figured Tracy Turnblad. The film was a love letter to the way song and dance could overcome racism, body-shaming and all the biases that had control of America in 1962. Hairspray, the musical, with tuneful and memorable songs by Marc Shaiman, stayed true to the politics, and kept memories of Divine alive by always casting Edna in drag, first with Harvey Fierstein and later John Travolta. Hairspray was the sweetest of all John Waters films, and that sweetness is reflected in the musical itself, and particularly in this production. It's seen here in the superb performance of Ella Ruth Francis, who embodies Tracy with as much joy, energy and voice as any performer in the role on Broadway or off. She is Tracy Turnblad . Other standouts include Jordan Covington as Seaweed, whose body movement in every scene is a joy to behold. And there's Jeanine Anderson as a gospel voiced Motormouth Maybelle and Alison Ewing as the amusingly villainous Velma Van Tussle. Jonathan Chisolm as Edna takes a backseat during most of the show, only stepping out in the final scenes. The casting of Edna may have once been a tribute to Divine, but today there's a political subtext that enhances the show's theme of inclusion. One caveat: the decibel level toward the end is a bit off the charts, so be forewarned. But mostly it's just a grand night in the theatre, a musical to enjoy and savor. Hairspray, directed by Bill English, plays at San Francisco Playhouse through September 12th. For more information, you can go to sfplayhouse.org. I'm Richard Wolinsky on Bay Area theatre for KPFA.     The post Review: “Hairspray” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

What did you think of this episode?Had a blast chatting with Scott Evan Davis who is a multi-award-winning composer/lyricist as well as an educator and author.​ We chatted about his musicals, books, and there might be a cool Sondheim story.Scott's websiteScott's InstagramSupport the showIf you liked At This Performance Podcast, please subscribe. Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook.You can also donate at Buy Me A Coffee.Thanks to Jeffrey Schmelkin for the awesome music.Thank you to my guests and listeners.

My guest on this episode is Ben Francis, author of the very compelling book titled Careful the Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical. Sondheim is without a doubt one of the most studied, examined, and analyzed Broadway creators of all time. In fact, we have done quite a bit of that right here on Broadway Nation. However, as you will hear, Ben Francis contends that in spite of all of that investigation, Sondheim continues to be very misunderstood. He is often labeled as being cynical and pessimistic, but Francis instead argues that Sondheim firmly belongs to the “Broadway aspirational tradition” — a tradition that celebrates dreams of a better life — and he suggests that Sondheim's shows are to a great extent are a continuation of the work of his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II. Ben Francis' other works include contributions to the Oxford Handbook Of Sondheim Studies, the Oxford Handbook of British Musicals, and the Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare and Music, as well as Christopher Hampton: Dramatic Ironist Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part by the generous support of our newest Patrons: Andy Wigginton and Mark Stanton. If you would like to help support the work of Broadway Nation I will information at the end of the podcast about how you too can become a Patron. If you are a fan ofBroadway Nation, I invite you too to become a PATRON! For a just $7.00 a month you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussion that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. And 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. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement 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

Next week, step into the Fatalistic Carnival as we bring our prolonged sixth season to an explosive close! Scott and Mackenzie are taking on one of Stephen Sondheim's most provocative and timely musicals, Assassins—and making the celebration even bigger is the long-awaited return of former cohost and now amazing guest, the Canadian Bea Arthur, Autumn Smith. Together, the trio wrestles with the show's central moral question: does Assassins ask us to sympathize with history's most infamous figures, or simply understand the forces that drove them to commit unthinkable acts? They also explore the ingenious ways Sondheim's score transforms familiar American musical styles into something deeply unsettling.All this and "there's another national anthem, for those who never win; for the suckers, for the pikers, for the ones who might have been" on next Friday's all-new episode!Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From growing up obsessed with Golden Age movie musicals to making her Broadway debut as Cosette in Les Misérables, Alex Finke shares the journey that led her to the stage. We talk all about playing the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods at Cape Playhouse, why Stephen Sondheim's writing continues to resonate with audiences, and what makes this cast and creative team so special. Alex also reflects on performing in Come From Away, Anything Goes, and Joan, the unforgettable phone call that changed her career, dream roles still on her bucket list, and why supporting regional theatre matters now more than ever.

N'Kenge is a spectacular powerhouse crossover singer in pop, opera and jazz. Just Wait till you hear what this lady has accomplished.  She is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy nominated performer with a 5 octave vocal range. She's headlined with major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Houston, Edmonton, and Jacksonville Symphonies, and she's performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. On Broadway she's been in “Sondheim on Sondheim”, “Motown: The Musical”, and “Caroline, or Change”. In 2026, she leads the world premiere of “That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical”. Her new album is called “Centerstage: Live From the Ella Fitzgerald Festival”. She has a new TV project called “Black Butterfly”. She has a nonprofit foundation. And she sings in 11 languages including Zulu. My featured song is “The Buzz”, my latest single. Spotify link. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here for Start Here Click here for All Episodes  Click here for Guest List  Click here for Guest Testimonials Click here for Pillars Click here for Robert's Project Grand Slam Click here to Subscribe  Click here to receive our Email Updates Click here to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH N'KENGE:www.nkengemusic.com —------------------------------------ ROBERT'S NEWEST RELEASE:“THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy RavenscroftKymera FilmsConnect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast:Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comFollow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music:Website - www.projectgrandslam.com    

In Episode 108, Brennan is once again joined by newly NYC-based actor, Zak Reynolds, as they talk about the transition back to NYC theatre, what it means to establish a practice, and the importance of remembering it's not about you! Worried about people's perceptions of you? Well they probably aren't even thinking about you at all! So stop wasting your energy and brain space, and focus on yourself and the ways you can actually thrive!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

On the Overthinking It Podcast, three old friends tackle the recent Broadway production of Sondheim’s “Merrily,” streaming on Netflix. Episode 940: It’s Like Tenet, But It Works originally appeared on Overthinking It, the site subjecting the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. [Latest Posts | Podcast (iTunes Link)]

Mike Meaney returns to the podcast to discuss whether the opening number to Bounce/Road Show was ever figured out, or whether it was just a waste.Follow Mike on Instagram.Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.comKeep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/sondheimpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sondheimpodcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this Encore Episode from 2021, author Rick Pender takes us inside the creation of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia.  Rick Pender is a longtime member and former chair of the American Theater Critics Association. He first began reviewing theater in 1985 for a public radio station he managed at Northern Kentucky University. He later became the theater critic for CityBeat – Cincinnati's alternative weekly newspaper -- and eventually became its arts and culture editor. He also often contributed articles to The Sondheim Review, a quarterly magazine that I know many of you remember fondly, and for 12 years, from 2004 to 2016, he served as its managing editor.  His latest venture, The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is a 638 page overview of anything and everything related to Sondheim's work, life and career.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the 1984 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, La Cage aux Folles! This  Broadway musical created in the 80's by 3 openly gay men is a love letter to the queer community and is continuing to live on in the current City Center Encore's performance! It serves as a reminder to always be loud and proud!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Stephen Sondheim was the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist who wrote Into the Woods, West Side Story, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Assassins, and more. This hour, a look at the life and music of Sondheim. And, on the occasion of the new Hartford Stage/TheaterWorks Hartford co-production, we dig into the story and music of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. GUESTS: Daniel Okrent: Author of Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy Wiley DeWeese: Music director, arranger, orchestrator, and conductor. He is currently Music Director for The Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford’s co-production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Music featured (in order): Prologue: Into the Woods – 2022 OBC and Disney Theatrical Instrumental Anyone Can Whistle – Bernadette Peters Our Time – 2023 Merrily We Roll Along New OBC I Know Things Now – Danielle Ferland, Into the Woods OBC Someone in a Tree – Pacific Overtures OBC CUT FOR TIME Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd – Sweeney Todd OBC Pretty Women – Sweeney Todd OBC Prelude: Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd – Sweeney Todd OBC Concerto Macabro (Excerpt) – Bernard Herrmann Johanna (Mea Culpa) – Sweeney Todd OBC Corn Puddin’ – Schmigadoon! The Worst Pies in London – Sweeney Todd OBC A Little Priest – Sweeney Todd OBC Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From dancer to director, Michael Bennett reinvented what a Broadway musical could be. Shoshana talks with Natalie Guevara, creator of Mirror Man: A Portrait of Michael Bennett and unlike many of our guests, she is someone who didn't consider herself a theater person until Michael Bennett changed that. Natalie got interested because even though Bennett gave us A Chorus Line and Dreamgirls, his name barely comes up in the same breath as Sondheim or Jonathan Larson. Natalie noticed that gap and made it her mission to fill it! They trace Bennett's journey from dancer to one of Broadway's most visionary director-choreographers, hitting Promises, Promises, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line (born from taped personal testimonies), Dreamgirls, and the unrealized projects cut short when he died of AIDS-related illness at just 44. Music featured: "Turkey Lurkey Time" from Promises, Promises "Who's That Woman" from Follies "Better" from A Class Act You can write to scenetosong@gmail.com with a comment or question or to be a guest. Follow on Instagram @‌ScenetoSong and on Facebook at "Scene to Song with Shoshana Greenberg Podcast." Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at scenetosong.substack.com and consider supporting on Patreon. Theme music by Julia Meinwald.

Mickey-Jo recently had the enormous privilege of sitting down with Ramin Karimloo, Meow Meow, and David Bedella from Birmingham Rep's upcoming revival of SWEENEY TODD.Check out what the stage stars had to say about this exciting new production, tackling Sondheim, and even their favourite kind of pie.You can still get tickets to see the production at Birmingham Rep between 4 July and 15 August.check out Mickey-Jo's free substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.comAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's mini-sode, we welcome you to the renaissance as we shine the spotlight on the Broadway musical "Something Rotten"! This musical comedy has a big cast of characters, some good rep material, and is chock-full of fun references to all your favorite musicals! It is truly an ode to Broadway!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

It's time to head ‘Into The Woods' as we discuss the 2014 film version of the Sondheim musical. An all star cast including Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Emily Blunt play out the story inspired by the Grimms Brother's fairytales. The film is centred on a Baker and his wife who setto end a curse placed on them by Witch looking for revenge. Tune in and watch out for the Giantess!

Dean Drieberg is an acclaimed creative with almost three decades' experience in theatre, advertising and events. He recently directed Nine for NIDA and Dial M For Murder for Smoke&Mirrors Productions. Dean is Resident Director for Disney's The Lion King and was Resident Director of Hamilton for the Australian, New Zealand and International tours from 2021 to 2025. He directed Promises, Promises at Hayes Theatre, the Australian Premiere of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (nominated for Best Musical in the TimeOut Sydney Arts & Culture Awards and 3 Sydney Theatre Awards) for Darlinghurst Theatre Company, the Australian Premiere of Passing Strange (nominated for 5 Green Room Awards including Production of the Year) for Antipodes Theatre Company, co-directed Colour And Light: The Art of Sondheim (winning 2 Green Room Awards) and Sunday In The Park George (Green Room Award nominee for Best Direction and Best Multimedia Design) for Watch This - Australia's Sondheim repertory company for whom he is Co-Artistic Director, directed and designed bare the Musical and the Australian Premiere of Memphis the musical for StageArt. Dean has worked on over 20 national tours and has produced advertising campaigns and major events across Australia, New Zealand, in Tokyo and New York. Dean is an advocate for theatre that is inclusive of Indigenous, Bla(c)k and people of colour, artists with a disability and LGBTQIA+ artists.

We enter the 1970s: the era of Sondheim and Prince, of a modern Broadway for modern audiences, and of something new and vital that comes to take the place of a Broadway musical formula that had ceased to please. Everything kicks off with Sondheim's 1970 masterpiece Company: directed by Prince, with a book by George Furth and choreogeraphy by Michael Bennet, the show would usher in a new type of Broadway musical, whether audiences and critics were ready or not. Here, we talk about "Barcelona" as capturing much of what defines this new era on Broadway.  All clips are from the 1970 cast album of Company featuring Susan Browning and Dean Jones and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

In this episode, Scott welcomes an old friend to the podcast - Sarah Uriarte Berry. Scott and Sarah did a production of "Grease" together and they had a great time reminiscing about the show and talking about her incredible career on Broadway, on tour, and what it was like being the very first Belle at The Disneyland Resort. Sarah Uriarte Berry made her Broadway debut as Eponine in "Les Miserables" and later reprised her role for the 10th Anniversary Production. She also starred as Belle in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" twice on Broadway: First at the Palace Theater, and 11 years later, paired with Donny Osmond at the Lunt-Fontanne. Also on Broadway, Sarah won critical acclaim as Franca in "The Light in the Piazza" at Lincoln Center Theater, where she received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.On tour, she played the role of Betty Schaefer in "Sunset Boulevard" with Petula Clark and the role of Julie Jordan in "Carousel" with Patrick Wilson. For "Carousel," she won an Ovation Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She also recently toured with "Disney Princess - The Concert."Other notable theatre credits include starring as Cinderella in "Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" for the New York City Opera alongside Eartha Kitt, Nicola in "Taboo" opposite Boy George, "Next To Normal," "End Of The Rainbow," "A Little Night Music" at the Kennedy Center, soloist in Bernstein's Mass at Carnegie Hall, and "Sondheim on Sondheim" at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Vanessa Williams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Jonathan Groff.Sarah's film appearances include roles in the feature film "Frontera" starring Ed Harris, Eva Longoria and Michael Peña, and "Pretty Bird" starring Billy Crudup. On television, Sarah's appeared on "Law and Order - Criminal Intent," "Six Degrees," The Tony Awards, and can be seen as Saint Jellorica in the infamous Cats episode of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.comSupport: www.patreon.com/themouseandmeFB and Instagram: “The Mouse and Me”Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io

In Episode 107, Brennan is joined by San Francisco-based writer/ director/ standup comedian/ etc., Nova Bradford, as they discuss the Bay Area art scene, fringe theatre, and the creation of "Luigi: The Musical"! Taking risks is the name of the game in this business, but it's also the best way to create some real, gritty, meaningful art that can actually make a difference in the world!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on this year's 79th Annual Tony Awards! In our annual post-Tony's episode we are giving you the breakdown of all performances, awards, and general goings on at this year's awards ceremony!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 106, Brennan is joined by LA actor James Tolbert, as they discuss the discovery of MT BFA culture, the decision to transition from NYC to LA, and the desire and benefits of being a true multi-hyphenate! In a world of shiny, commercialized art-media, you gotta stay true to yourself and chase those ventures that truly make your heart happy!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 105, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Ben Jackson Walker, as they talk about the dangers of perfectionism, and how your own harshest critic is often yourself! While having standards for yourself is important, the need for perfection is often actually just the fear of failure!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on a beloved Broadway musical: The Rocky Horror Show. THE cult-classic of cult-classics, this show has become a ritualistic experience around the world and has accrued a diverse fandom of all ages, genders, sexualities, etc. There are many ways to experience The Rocky Horror Show these days, but it all started on the stage!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Daniel Okrent is the author of seven books, most recently, “Stephen Sondheim Art Isn't Easy,” of which The Guardian said: “The entire book is sheer delight and Okrent, formerly an editor at The New York Times and a baseball fanatic who effectively invented the modern fantasy baseball league, does a terrific job of telling Sondheim's life story alongside shrewd analysis of his body of work.”Other reviews have been just as positive, and why not?  It's the most comprehensive story yet of Stephen Sondheim the man and Stephen Sondheim the composer.  It's a real pleasure to have him with me on this episode.  

Content Advisory: The following episode contains conversations surrounding topics that may be triggering, such as eating disorders and suicide.In Episode 104, Brennan is joined by NYC-based performer and founder of the Broadway Mental Health Foundation, Emerson Valentina, as they discuss the hazards of some "traditional" musical theatre/ dance education, and the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces across the industry. For too long now, performers have been encouraged and demanded to put unsafe levels of stress on their body and mind, and told it was the only way to succeed, and it's important that we don't continue to spread those falsehoods to the generations to come!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Melissa Errico is a Tony-nominated actress, singer, recording artist, and writer. She is known for her iconic Broadway musical roles such as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the title role in One Touch of Venus. She is also recognized from her roles on TV series such as Billions, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Law & Order, A Gifted Man, Ed, and Miss Match opposite Alicia Silverstone. In addition to her work on stage and screen, Errico is highly regarded for her recordings of musical theater classics, including albums of songs by Stephen Sondheim and Michel Legrand. Her 2018 album “Sondheim Sublime” was described by the Wall Street Journal as “the best all-Sondheim album ever recorded”. In a review for her 2024 album “Sondheim in the City”, the New York Times described Errio as “one of Sondheim's deepest-hearted yet lightest-touch interpreters.” Errico’s interpretation of Legrand’s music is equally highly praised, so much so that she was asked to write his eulogy for the Times and was the only American singer invited to perform at Legrand’s memorial at Le Grand Rex in Paris. In recent years, Errico has become a contributing writer to The New York Times and served on the National Endowment for the Arts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on a lesser known, sci-fi Broadway musical, Starmites. This niche, superhero/ space adventure/ boyband musical is camp to the max, and a whole lot of fun! So, let's show it some love!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

What do crossword puzzles have to do with "Send in the Clowns"? More than you'd think. This episode, Shoshana is joined by Barry Joseph, author of Matching Minds with Sondheim, to explore Stephen Sondheim's lifelong obsession with puzzles and games, and how that obsession quietly shaped everything from his lyrics to his show structures to his closest relationships. In the "Why Is This So Good?" segment, Shoshana and Barry dig into "Good Enough to Eat" from Schmigadoon! Season 2. Music featured: "Ten Years Old (The Fabulous Fifties, 1960)" from Sondheim Sings Vol. II (1946–1960) "Hesitation (Reprise)" from Here We Are "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd "Good Enough to Eat" from Schmigadoon! Season 2 You can write to scenetosong@gmail.com with a comment or question about an episode or about musical theater, or if you'd like to be a podcast guest. Follow on Instagram at @ScenetoSong and on Facebook at "Scene to Song with Shoshana Greenberg Podcast." Be sure to sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at http://scenetosong.substack.com , and consider supporting the show on Patreon. The theme music is by Julia Meinwald.

It is not hyperbole to say that Stephen Sondheim was among the most important creative voices in 20th Century American musical theater. From the 1950s through to the 2020s, he wrote the lyrics, music, or both for some of the most critically and commercially successful shows of our lifetimes. Sondheim's shows are beloved not only for their incredibly catchy songs, but also for their insightful stories exploring the nature of art, history, and most importantly, the fragile and fault-riddled human condition. Though we lost Mr. Sondheim in 2021, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to look back on his works as we attempt to name the Best Stephen Sondheim Musical of all time.Musicals discussed: Sweeney Todd, Saturday Night, West Side Story, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Assassins, Pacific Overtures, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Anyone Can Whistle, Gypsy, FolliesJoin host Eric Rezsnyak and panelists Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz, and Trey Radu-Blackburn as they discuss and debate 16 of Sondheim's most enduring works.For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss our personal experiences with Sondheim shows, and the Sondheim shows that didn't make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks.EPISODE CREDITSHost: Eric RezsnyakPanelists: Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz, Trey Radu-BlackburnProducer: Bob ErlenbackEditor: Jim Czadzeck#sondheim #stephensondheim #musical #broadway #broadwaymusicals #sweeneytodd #company #intothewoods #westsidestory #merrilywerollalong #sundayintheparkwithgeorge #gypsy #follies #assassins #bernadettepetersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller played a key role in the production of RENT, Hamilton, In the Heights, Avenue Q, and the revival of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd that starred Josh Groban. His memoir traced his path from ‘Theater Kid' to producer of Broadway mega-hits. Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews ‘Silent Friend.' See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In Episode 103, Brennan is joined by NYC actor, Cambria Klein, as they mourn the soon to be death of the EMC program and try to figure out what the heck they're gonna do now! The decision is a very complex one to make and there are 1 million factors to take into consideration. However at the end of the day, it's a decision only you can make for yourself, so you gotta trust your heart!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

We talk with John Lithgow, veteran of hundreds of performances on stage, screen and television. He's currently starring in the play ‘Giant' on Broadway. He plays renowned children's book author Roald Dahl, caught in a public controversy after he wrote an article laced with antisemitic statements. Also, we'll talk about Stephen Sondheim's life and music with Daniel Okrent, author of a new book ‘Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy.'  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Daniel Okrent's new biography, ‘Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy,' offers new insights into the renowned Broadway composer and lyricist. Okrent talks with Terry Gross about Sondheim's often toxic relationship to his mother, his drinking and substance use, and finding himself through his art. “There are two major arcs to [Stephen Sondheim's] life. One is from absolute alienation to finally, near the end of his life, connection,” he says. “The other is from an ambivalence that could be crippling at times, to resolution, to knowing who he was and what he was capable of doing.”Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel ‘Now I Surrender.'To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy