Podcasts about Sondheim

In Episode 89, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Russell Daniels as they talk about his journey from a degree in Music Education to being Josh Gad's standby in Gutenberg on Broadway! From sketch comedy, to hit parody shows, to Broadway itself, Russell has made a name for himself as one of the best comedic actors in the biz, and has a lot of wisdom to share of how he did it!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In this episode, we dive into a little-known side of Stephen Sondheim—the master composer's lifelong love of puzzles, games, and brain-twisting challenges. Based on Barry Joseph's fascinating new book Matching Minds with Sondheim, this conversation uncovers how Sondheim's “puzzler's mind” shaped not only his legendary musicals but also the treasure hunts, crossword puzzles, parlor games, and elaborate game designs he crafted for friends and collaborators. Joseph shares insights from rare, never-before-seen Sondheim puzzles, dozens of interviews with those who played his games, and deep archival research that reveals a new dimension of Sondheim's genius. Listeners will learn how these playful creations offered joy, clarity, and connection—and even try their hand at Sondheim-inspired puzzles themselves. It's a delightful, surprising journey into the mind of a maestro unlike any other. Learn more at MatchingMindsWithSondheim.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Gabfest old friends Steve, Julia, and June Thomas convene on two showbiz works of midlife retrospection and regret: the new film Jay Kelly and Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. The former, directed by Noah Baumbach, stars George Clooney as the titular movie star looking back on his life while on a European train picaresque. The latter was a legendary flop for Sondheim, had a triumphant Broadway revival starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, and now has arrived at movie theaters. In our third segment, the panel turns to another showbiz saga full of bitter regret: the fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery. Joined by writer and Hollywood watcher Mark Harris, they untangle the fight between Netflix and Paramount to outbid each other for the legacy film studio—and what it all has to do with Trump and the future of movie-going itself.  In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, it's back to join the Joined in our recap discussion of Pluribus episode 7 “The Gap.”  Act now, there's still time to leave us a voicemail with your burning cultural queries for our annual call-in show by calling us at 347-201-2397. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Gabfest old friends Steve, Julia, and June Thomas convene on two showbiz works of midlife retrospection and regret: the new film Jay Kelly and Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. The former, directed by Noah Baumbach, stars George Clooney as the titular movie star looking back on his life while on a European train picaresque. The latter was a legendary flop for Sondheim, had a triumphant Broadway revival starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, and now has arrived at movie theaters. In our third segment, the panel turns to another showbiz saga full of bitter regret: the fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery. Joined by writer and Hollywood watcher Mark Harris, they untangle the fight between Netflix and Paramount to outbid each other for the legacy film studio—and what it all has to do with Trump and the future of movie-going itself.  In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, it's back to join the Joined in our recap discussion of Pluribus episode 7 “The Gap.”  Act now, there's still time to leave us a voicemail with your burning cultural queries for our annual call-in show by calling us at 347-201-2397. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Gabfest old friends Steve, Julia, and June Thomas convene on two showbiz works of midlife retrospection and regret: the new film Jay Kelly and Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. The former, directed by Noah Baumbach, stars George Clooney as the titular movie star looking back on his life while on a European train picaresque. The latter was a legendary flop for Sondheim, had a triumphant Broadway revival starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, and now has arrived at movie theaters. In our third segment, the panel turns to another showbiz saga full of bitter regret: the fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery. Joined by writer and Hollywood watcher Mark Harris, they untangle the fight between Netflix and Paramount to outbid each other for the legacy film studio—and what it all has to do with Trump and the future of movie-going itself.  In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, it's back to join the Joined in our recap discussion of Pluribus episode 7 “The Gap.”  Act now, there's still time to leave us a voicemail with your burning cultural queries for our annual call-in show by calling us at 347-201-2397. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Sunday in the Park with George” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage extended through January 31, 2026.   Text of Review: The late great composer lyricist Stephen Sondheim tackled a variety of subjects in his work, from an examination of relationships in Company to obsession in Passion, to gun culture in Assassins But two shows seem a bit more autobiographical, Merrily We Roll Along, which incorporates elements of his own life, and Sunday in the Park with George, which examines the role of the artist, both as creator and promoter. Because of the large cast and the giant canvas of the show itself, pun intended, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park is usually presented in large venues. Now Shotgun Players has taken on the Pulitzer Prize winning musical in the moreintimate confines of the Ashby Stage in Berkeley, running through January 31st, 2026. Musically, lyrically, in most ways, Sunday in the Park is sui generis. Act One focuses in on the creation by Geroge Seurat of his room sized masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, while Act Two takes place a century later as another George, his great-grandson attempts to get funding for his own art exhibit. Critics, money, getting it right, painting the perfect hat. The songs themselves serve as musical counterparts to the pointillist art George Seurat is creating on stage. The late Steven Sondheim: (actuality) As with all Sondheim musicals, lyrical precision takes as much precedence as singing voice and acting. This particular show also requires harmonies that blend together into something gorgeous and almost unearthly. Here, the Shotgun production succeeds beautifully. It also succeeds with Kevin Singer in the lead role, who fully embodies both Georges with an almost innate sense of what the creators had intended. He is complemented by Mara Sotelo, whose voice enhances Sondheim's most exquisite music. The intimacy is a different matter. A relatively small space is made smaller by putting audience members on both sides of the set, and when the entire cast is performing at once, it all feels cluttered and chaotic, actors seemingly tripping over one another. The duets, with the stage now empty, feel static. But the glorious music, the brilliant lyrics, the harmonies, the actors in the leading roles, and of course, the play's focus on art and artists, make this Sunday in the Park with George well worth visiting. Sunday in the Park with George plays at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through January 31, 2026. For more information, you can go to shotgunplayers.org. I'm Richard Wolinsky on Bay Area theatre for KPFA The post Review: “Sunday in the Park with George” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

In this week's mini-sode, we're shining the spotlight on Broadway's TYA musical "The Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical"! It's not often you see TYA (theatre for young audiences) on Broadway, but despite the negative Broadway reviews, the show has garnered a huge following across the country! It's creativity, ingenuity, and accessibility prove that there is a place for TYA on Broadway!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

This week on Reel Talk, Jonathan and Honey watch Pillion, a film that has just dropped in cinemas, they unpick the final series of Stranger Things and gush over their new favourite programme: Pluribus on Apple TV+.The pair also report back on their holiday in Japan and how Jonathan suffered the consequences of being too kind to the deer, Honey thirsts over sexy monsters and Jonathan gets to see Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along on the big screen.If you want to get involved in the show, email us at reeltalk@global.com and follow us on Instagram at @reeltalkross.Listen and subscribe to Reel Talk on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

Conversem amb el director d'escena Mario Gas, que reestrena 'L'elisir d'amore' al Liceu i 'Sondheim x Sondheim' als Teatres del Farró

Merrily We Roll Along's Broadway and film director Maria Friedman joins The Art of Kindness for a chat on translating her Tony-winning take on the hit Stephen Sondheim production to a SONY film, starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez. The kind musical theatre titan and host Robert Peterpaul discuss: How kindness is at the core of Merrily. How to lead with kindness on Broadway and beyond. Her close relationship with Stephen Sondheim and more. MARIA FRIEDMAN is a 4-time Olivier Award-winning star and Tony-nominated director, celebrated as one of the definitive interpreters of Stephen Sondheim's work. She most recently directed the 4-time Tony Award-winning Broadway Revival of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Her acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along originated in London and conquered Broadway with sold-out houses, securing the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. As an actress, Maria is best known for starring in classic Sondheim roles, including Dot in Sunday in the Park with George and the Olivier Award-winning Fosca in Passion. Her illustrious career is a masterclass in musical theatre excellence across the West End and international stages. And let's not forget her starring turn as the Narrator in the Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat feature film! Follow Maria: @mariafriedman Follow us: ⁠@artofkindnesspod⁠ / ⁠@robpeterpaul⁠ ⁠youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast⁠ ⁠Support the show⁠! (⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok⁠) Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is World AIDS Day, if anyone needed to be reminded. Though I considered doing a compendium episode of broad scope commemorating a handful of the thousands upon thousands of musicians that succumbed to AIDS, I decided instead to focus on one, Broadway icon Larry Kert, who created the role of Tony in West Side Story and was subsequently an early Robert in Sondheim's Company, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. On December 5, we observe his 95th birthday. In between these career highs, he was involved in a number of notorious Broadway flops (Breakfast at Tiffany's, La Strada, and Rags) from each of which we hear rare recordings. And yet during his life, superstardom eluded him. It's quite likely that some of this had to do with him having lived his life openly and unapologetically as a gay man in a time when most comparable figures were deeply in the closet. But Larry was also a familiar figure on television of that era, appearing as a guest star on popular series, on game shows, on commercials, and as a particular favorite of Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, in which he made 29 guest appearances. He also was often seen as a replacement in and on tours of popular musicals such as Cabaret, Two Gentlemen of Verona, I Can Get It for You Wholesale, and, finally, La Cage aux Folles, to name just a few. In that last show, his frail health meant that he had to miss significant numbers of performances, though he continued to make important appearances on stage and on recordings until just shortly before his death on June 5, 1991 at the age of 60. On the episode, we hear him with such legendary co-stars as Teresa Stratas, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Madeline Kahn, Maureen McGovern, Mimi Hines, and Harvey Evans, as well as his WSS co-star Carol Lawrence. We also trace the support and influence he received over the course of his career from his trusted friend Martin Charnin, who played a sometimes surprising role in Kert's career. Though Larry Kert felt that he never received the recognition he deserved, this episode demonstrates how he stood at the forefront of all Broadway tenors of his generation, as well as past and future ones. Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and author yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody's core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody's Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly or yearly support at whatever level you can afford.

This week, we are heading into the world of fractured fairy tales with SF Playhouse's production of Into the Woods. We break down the performances, design choices, standout moments, and how this production brings Sondheim's classic to life in a fresh way.

In Episode 88, Brennan is joined by Broadway Casting Director, Kevin Metzger-Timson, as they talk about his transition from performing into casting, and all the things one may not know about what goes on behind the casting table! Between his experience as a performer, and his time casting with the TRC Company, Kevin is the perfect person to help us debunk all the myths of the casting process!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

This month a quick discussion on two recent film. First, the mega blockbuster Wicked: For Good. Second, the small character piece Blue Moon.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 ★

durée : 01:28:29 - Melissa Errico, de Michel Legrand à Stephen Sondheim - par : Laurent Valière - Michel Legrand louait  la clarté de sa voix. Il a écrit pour elle. Melissa Errico est l'une des grandes voix de Broadway et du jazz. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

As I sat yesterday pondering all my friends, family, and compatriots celebrating Thanksgiving, my thoughts turned to the turkey, the traditional sacrificial creature for this event. And whatever the avian counterpart of a rabbit hole is, that's where my thoughts turned as I realized that a tribute to our feathered friends in general would make a nice, lightweight, potpourri episode as we once again hurtle into the final preparations for the holiday season. As my list of possible repertoire exploded, I decided to limit myself only to stage works in which a bird is somehow involved: as a character, as a symbol, as a metaphor, perhaps even as all three simultaneously. So, with composers ranging from Rameau to Sondheim, including such forgotten figures as Walter Braunfels, Victor Massé, and Félicien David, I have put together a wonderful program that focuses particularly but not exclusively on the florid French repertoire, performed by such favorites as Reri Grist, James King, Ileana Cotrubas, Fritz Wunderlich, Sylvia Sass, and Mattiwilda Dobbs, bolstered by such relative newcomers to Countermelody as Léïla Ben Sédira, Ninon Vallin, Janine Micheau, Harolyn Blackwell, Emma Calvé, Endrik Wottrich, Liz Callaway, and Flore Wend. In addition, I am particularly thrilled to present a sublime singer whom I'd not yet encountered before yesterday: the British-Swedish songbird Jacqueline Delman, singing Granados! Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and author yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody's core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody's Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly or yearly support at whatever level you can afford.

Something Wicked this way comes as Dana, Steve, and guest host Dan Kois gather round their proverbial cauldrons for an all-movie edition of the Gabfest. First up, of course, is Wicked: For Good the green/pink-hued conclusion to the alternative history of Oz. This sequel, which reunites Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as witch besties/mortal enemies, goes to surprisingly dark places. Next, they discuss Train Dreams, the contemplative and grandeur-filled adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella directed by Clint Bentley. Finally, they sit down for a long, rich conversation between friends in Peter Hujar's Day, a chamber piece by Ira Sachs about art, friendship, and how much can happen in a single day. In our bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, Julia hops on the call to continue our recap series of Pluribus. The hosts get into all the details of Pluribus episode 5 “Got Milk.” We're still taking submissions for our call-in show. If you've got a burning cultural question or topic you'd like our hosts to tackle, call and leave us a message at:  347-201-2397 Endorsements: Dan: Matching Minds with Sondheim by Barry Joseph, a whole book about Stephen Sondheim's love of puzzles. Steve: The jazz album Mal/4 by Mal Waldron Trio and Tim (Let it Bleed Edition) by the Replacements. Dana: The Broadway production of Waiting for Godot that reunites none other than Bill and Ted with stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.  Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something Wicked this way comes as Dana, Steve, and guest host Dan Kois gather round their proverbial cauldrons for an all-movie edition of the Gabfest. First up, of course, is Wicked: For Good the green/pink-hued conclusion to the alternative history of Oz. This sequel, which reunites Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as witch besties/mortal enemies, goes to surprisingly dark places. Next, they discuss Train Dreams, the contemplative and grandeur-filled adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella directed by Clint Bentley. Finally, they sit down for a long, rich conversation between friends in Peter Hujar's Day, a chamber piece by Ira Sachs about art, friendship, and how much can happen in a single day. In our bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, Julia hops on the call to continue our recap series of Pluribus. The hosts get into all the details of Pluribus episode 5 “Got Milk.” We're still taking submissions for our call-in show. If you've got a burning cultural question or topic you'd like our hosts to tackle, call and leave us a message at:  347-201-2397 Endorsements: Dan: Matching Minds with Sondheim by Barry Joseph, a whole book about Stephen Sondheim's love of puzzles. Steve: The jazz album Mal/4 by Mal Waldron Trio and Tim (Let it Bleed Edition) by the Replacements. Dana: The Broadway production of Waiting for Godot that reunites none other than Bill and Ted with stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com.  Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 87, Brennan and Danny are bringing you all of their praises and hot takes about the long awaited film "Wicked: For Good"! Whether it be Cynthia's "No Good Deed", or the newly iconic chunky knit cardigan, this movie is on everyone's mind right now, so come share in the joy with us!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

This episode was recorded in 2021 just five days after it was announced that Stephen Sondheim had died and as it happened my friend, colleague and frequent co-host and contributor to Broadway Nation, Albert Evans, was spending the Thanksgiving weekend with me, and so we were together when this news began to break and during the incredible reaction and response this loss over the days that followed. The coverage of Sondheim's life and legacy in both traditional and social media had been phenomenal including four full pages in the NY Times, extended tributes on TV, radio and other newspapers, trending on Twitter and a near total domination of all theater related social media — all richly deserved of course — but still somewhat unexpected for someone who was primarily a theater artist.  I think this reflects the hidden importance and impact of the Broadway musical on American and world culture. Most of the time the media simply ignores Broadway but once in a while it breaks through and reveals how ingrained it is in the fabric of our lives.  For this episode, rather than talk about Sondheim's one of a kind place in the history of the Broadway musical and his impact on the form — as we have done on so many other episodes — Albert and I took our inspiration from the many personal memories that people have been posting and sharing about their own interactions with Sondheim, and especially how his shows and songs have impacted and affected their lives. So, before the weekend was over Albert and I decided to switch on the microphone and look back to the very first times that the work of Stephen Sondheim entered our lives. We would love to hear about your first time experiencing of the artistry of Stephen Sondheim and feature those memories on an upcoming episode. And we have made it extremely easy for you to share them. Just go the Broadway nation website at ⁠www.Broadway-nation.com⁠ and on the bottom right corner of the home page you will find a microphone icon. Simply click on that and share with us you're first Sondheim experiences! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Episode, Danny is joining Brennan over on the main as they discuss all the various ways to make seeing New York theatre affordable. Art should be accessible to all, and while Broadway is a prestigious institution, there are still tons of ways to be able to see a lot of the shows in the city without breaking the bank! Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning Jak Malone joins host Joel Crump for another edition of "Broadway Time at Carmine's". About Jak: Jak Malone is an Olivier Award-winning actor from Merseyside. He won the 2024 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, playing Hester in Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre. Further stage credits include: Sondheim on Sondheim (Alexandra Palace Theatre); Spies Are Forever (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Operation Mincemeat (Riverside Studios / Southwark Playhouse / New Diorama Theatre) and A Clockwork Orange (Everyman Theatre, Liverpool). Workshops include: Benny & Joon (Larry Hirchhorn); Grayson: The Musical (National Theatre). Training: BA Acting, LIPA. When Jak is not performing he's an avid fan of horror movies, nail varnish and The Muppets. "Broadway Time at Carmine's" features Broadway stars over lunch in engaging conversations at the iconic Carmine's Times Square eatery. For more, visit www.BWayTime.com, and follow:

 My guest this week is DAN ELISH, author of a new novel called KING OF BROADWAY. As you will hear, the plot of this novel was inspired by a real life interaction that Dan had with the legendary Broadway songwriter Stephen Sondheim. While the majority of authors I interview on Broadway Nation are historians or scholars who have created non-fiction works about the history of the Broadway musical, every once in a while it is my great pleasure to feature a fiction writer who has taken what I call a "novel approach" to Broadway. These have included, on episode 90: Laura Frankos and her time travel novel Broadway Revival, on episode 1 32: Stephen Cole and his time travel novel,  MARY and ETHEL and Mikey Who?,  on episode 1 37: Jack Viertel's novel Broadway Melody, and most recently on episode 1 55: Chad Beguelin's Showmance, which like the novel we discuss today, is set in the world of contemporary Broadway. Dan Elish co-wrote the book to the Broadway musical 13 (music & lyrics by Jason Robert Brown) which has been performed all over the world and is now a movie on Netflix. Dan is also the bookwriter and co-lyricist of the off-Broadway musical, The Evolution of Man. Additionally, he's the author of twelve novels for readers of all ages including the real-life children's novel, The Worldwide Dessert Contest which in King of Broadway becomes the basis for a fictional Broadway musical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the Broadway musical "Tuck Everlasting". This lesser known gem of a show walks a fun line of family friendly theater with rather existential subject matter in a way that ends up being somehow charming?? Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

At last… our pod is complete again.” Join Ian, Liam & Megs (she always goes last), along with Friend of the Podcasters: Beadle Steve, for our 304th episode as we sharpen our razors, roll out the pie dough, and dive into the gothic, gory glory of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). This week, we're not just talking Burton's blood-soaked macabre attempt at a masterpiece — we're also sharing our collective memories from our very own recent production of Sweeney Todd! Expect behind-the-scenes stories, backstage laughs, and maybe a few stories about trap doors and jettisons of blood This week we discuss: How Tim Burton's adaptation balances musical theatre grandeur with cinematic horror — and where it falls short. Johnny Depp's take on the title role: tortured genius or just Burton doing Burton again? Helena Bonham Carter's Mrs. Lovett — delightful, deranged, and determined to make the worst pies in London. How Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall manage to be both repulsive and magnetic - but can they sing?  Who do we think could've done it better? The use of colour, lighting, and sound — and why did the crew need so many garbage bags? How Sweeney Todd manages to turn tragedy into operatic spectacle without losing its emotional sting. We discuss at great length a couple of elements that one of us just couldn't overlook We share our favourite moments (and biggest mishaps) from our own stage production — from what it's like to be reviewed ourselves to unexpected laughter in the wrong places and if you can imagine it - Ian flexing in the spotlight What it's like performing Sondheim's music live — the challenge, the rhythm, and the glorious chaos. Beadle Steve joins us to talk about his experience, his favourite scenes, and whether he's still hearing “Ding Dong!” in his sleep... and what happened to the ensemble anyway? And finally, whether Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the Best Film Ever — or just the bloodiest musical we've ever loved. Become a Patron of this podcast and support the BFE at https://www.patreon.com/BFE We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support: Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM Hermes Auslander James DeGuzman Synthia Shai Bergerfroind Ariannah Who Loves BFE The Most Andy Dickson Chris Pedersen Duane Smith (Duane Smith!) Randal Silva Nate The Great Rev Bruce Cheezy (with a fish on a bike) Richard Ryan Kuketz Dirk Diggler Stew from the Stew World Order podcast NorfolkDomus John Humphrey's Right Foot Timmy Tim Tim Aashrey Paul Komoroski Buy some BFE merch at https://my-store-b4e4d4.creator-spring.com/. Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of Mistake by Luckydog. Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor, at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor. Also, massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song. You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

In Episode 85, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Britney Coleman as they talk about the midwest to NYC transition, and the need to bring an authentic self into the industry! If we've learned anything by now, it's that every journey looks different and so does the journey to finding one's unique voice in this crazy world of theatre we choose to live in!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 lesser known, Off-Broadway musical, "Lucky Stiff". This Ahrens and Flaherty musical is a farcical delight, with some good music, and hysterical hijinks. It deserves some time in the spotlight for a change, so go show it some love!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 84, Brennan is joined by Off-Broadway's Alex Stompoly as they chat about the life of a renaissance faire performer, the evolution of emerging into the industry as a queer artist, and the joys of performing with our dear old friends at The Twenty Sided Tavern! It's really amazing when just showing up to work puts you in spaces and with people you could've only dreamed about, and Alex is no stranger to that beautiful phenomenon!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Just an update about me (Kyle) and what to expect from the podcast over the next year. 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 Broadway's spooky classic, "The Addams Family Musical"! With a truly all star cast, this adaptation of everyone's favorite creepy, cooky family is a treasure trove of bops for all voice types, and an overall good time! *snap snap*Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

We welcome back Sondheim scholar Rick Pender, who talks about his new book, Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Behind the Bloody Musical Masterpiece. "An award-winning Sondheim expert dives into all facets of this unique, murder-filled masterpiece-its slimy roots, original production, characters from killers to lovers to bakers, soaring score, gripping storytelling, and lasting power."

For the second part of Dennis's conversation with Matching Minds With Sondheim author Barry Joseph, Dennis invites his old friend Dennis Osborne to join the Zoom. Dennis was a good friend of Stephen Sondheim's for the last 35 years of his life and spent a lot of time playing games with him. In this conversation, Dennis and Barry talk about Sondheim's obsession with computer games like OXYD and Myst, that time Sondheim was on Password and crushed it, Sondheim's feelings about the escape room craze and they both delight each other with show-and-tell moments. Other topics include: Stephen Sondheim's humility and generosity, how Sondheim's love of puzzles and games helped him cope with his chaotic childhood and that time Dennis Osborne gave Sondheim a note about reversing this acts in Sunday In the Park With George and cemented his value as someone who would give honest opinions with Sondheim and not just fawn over him. www.matchingmindswithsondheim.com

In Episode 83, Brennan is joined by NYC-based artist, Meghan Fitton, as they talk about entering NY without a musical theatre degree, and how to find your own power when the world you're in is uncontrollable!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Tonight's triple feature charts the modern musical's evolution from stage grandeur to cinematic intimacy. Les Misérables (2012), long trapped in development, found redemption under Tom Hooper's live-sung realism, winning three Oscars and redefining the genre's emotional rawness. The Phantom of the Opera (2004), Andrew Lloyd Webber's own adaptation directed by Joel Schumacher, preserved the opulent theatricality of its 1986 hit, trading subtlety for spectacle and box office success. Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd (2007) stripped Sondheim's operatic dread to its bones—industrial London rendered in blood and ash, with Johnny Depp's haunted performance earning two Oscars. Together they form a triptych of obsession and redemption—three wounded men seeking salvation through music, their worlds collapsing between faith, art, and violence. From the barricades to the opera house to Fleet Street, these films trace the death of theatrical innocence and the last roar of the sung confession.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59 

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Avenue Q"! Not only did it win the Tony Award for Best Musical, but this edgy puppet-based musical beat out Wicked! It's a classic and a hit, and all the character actors out there gotta know it!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Dennis is joined via Zoom by Barry Joseph, author of the new book Matching Minds with Sondheim, which is all about the legendary Broadway composer and lyricist's love of puzzles and games. Barry talks about being inspired to write the book in 2022, a few months after Sondheim's passing, and how writing the book became like a puzzle for him to solve. He also talks about his love of Sondheim's musicals, from listening to the West Side Story cast recording as a kid to going to see Passion on Broadway during its first previous (and not appreciating it much at the time.) He goes into detail about Sondheim's legendary game nights and treasure hunts and talks about Sondheim's stint as the crossword puzzle editor for New York Magazine in the late 1960's and that time Games magazine did a five-page profile on him, complete with photos of his extensive game collection. Other topics include: Barry's favorite Sondheim musical, the idea of creating order out of chaos, what drives him to do the work that he does and that surreal evening when actor Anthony Perkins ended up being the murderer in a Sondheim party game just a few months after appearing as Norman Bates in Psycho. https://matchingmindswithsondheim.com

In Episode 82, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Andrew Arrington as they talk about learning to love theatre and find those spaces that keep that love going. And as always, this platform remains an Audra McDonald fan account!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

"The Shakespeare of our time." Stephen Sondheim practically reinvented musicals with his flair for theatrical storytelling through his lyrics and music. A lesser known fact is that Sondheim also played a huge role in the puzzling world. Before he was famous for musicals like West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, and Sundays in the Park with George, Sondheim was the first puzzle editor for New York Magazine in the 1960s. Sondheim's obsession with puzzles and games lasted his whole life. He discovered escape rooms while in his 80s, and played many of them! Sondheim famously said "art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos," and the same could very much be said for puzzles. Barry Joseph joins us on REPOD to talk about his new book, Matching Minds with Sondheim, which dives into Sondheim's love of puzzles and games. The types of puzzles spanned everything from crosswords, to treasure hunts, jigsaw puzzles, and parlour games. Little known fact—Stephen Sondheim is credited with bringing British style cryptic crosswords to the USA! He also commissioned custom jigsaw puzzles as opening night gifts for the cast and crew of his Broadway shows. As prolific as Sondheim was with his musicals, he was equally invested in his puzzles and games. Guest Barry Joseph digs deep into all the different ways Sondheim incorporated puzzles into his creative work and daily life. If you found this topic interesting, be sure to get his book, Matching Minds with Sondheim and check out his podcast of the same name. I'd recommend starting with the two podcast episodes that featured our very own David and Lisa Spira: Escape Room Episode (ft. Lisa & David), Jigsaw Puzzles Episode (ft. David).   Episode Sponsors We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: REA Patreon Backers, PG's Playhouse, Buzzshot, and COGS. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.   Support Us On Patreon Today Love escape rooms as much as we do? At Room Escape Artist, we've been analyzing, reviewing, and exploring the world of immersive games since 2014. We help players find the best experiences, and push the industry forward with well-researched, rational, and reasonably humorous escape room and immersive gaming content and events. By becoming a Patreon supporter, you're not just backing a blog — you're fueling a mission to make the escape room and immersive gaming community stronger, more thoughtful, and more connected. Access exclusive Patreon content such as: The Bonus Aftershow The Spoilers Club Early access to escape room Tour tickets and REA articles. Your Patreon support goes toward our mission: paying our contributors, funding our infrastructure, and supporting deep research and industry advocacy.   PG's Playhouse If you love wordplay, puzzles, and trivia, this is the podcast for you! PG's Playhouse recreates a fun game night, all in a short, 30-minute format. Of course, what's game night without making new friends? We bring on different guests for the different episodes. Each episode features a puzzle packed with wordplay and trivia, a short chat with the guest, and a segment exploring an interesting topic. I hope you'll take a listen and play along with us at PG's Playhouse.   Buzzshot Buzzshot is Escape Room Software, Powering Business Growth, Player Marketing, and improving the Customer Experience. They offer an assortment of pre and post game features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and streamlined review management for Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Morty. Buzzshot now has integration with the other REPOD sponsors: Morty and COGS. Special Offer for REPOD Listeners: REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus 20% off your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. Visit buzzshot.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.   COGS COGS by Clockwork Dog is an easy to use software/ hardware platform for running interactive events, including escape rooms, and other immersive experiences. They have plug & play hardware that seamlessly integrates with their software so you can create a show with lighting and sound cues without having to write a single line of code. Map all kinds of inputs to outputs by building up simple logic steps which determine what you want to happen and when. Special Offer for REPOD Listeners: REPOD listeners can get the COGS Starter Set for only $130 + free shipping to the USA. This bundle is usually valued at $257. You can learn more and purchase your Starter Set at cogs.show. Use code REPOD at checkout.   Production Credits Hosted by David Spira & Peih-Gee Law Produced by Theresa Piazza Supported by Lisa Spira Edited by Steve Ewing Music by Ryan Elder Logo by Janine Pracht  

In Episode 81, Brennan is joined by NYC-based performer Allison Lian, as they examine the differences between self care and self sabotage, and question the ways actors should actually be shoeing up for themselves! What is meant for you will not pass you by, but that does not mean you should just sit around and wait for it to happen!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Writer, filmmaker and co-host of the Box Office GROSS podcast Rob Stammitti joins me from Pittsburgh to begin a miniseries on the UK cult band Prefab Sprout, a critically acclaimed band that sold millions of albums and yet didn't become as huge as they deserved to be. They were hard to categorize, barely toured outside of continental Europe and were somewhat out of step with prevailing trends in popular music in their day and still left behind a fascinating body of work that more people should be aware of.In part one we discuss arriving late to the game in discovering Prefab Sprout and the long shadow Paddy McAloon casts on modern music before returning to the origin story in County Durham, England, their attention-getting early singles and then track-by-track on their 1984 debut LP Swoon (Songs Written Out Of Necessity). McAloon throws down the gauntlet here, combining post-punk with Bacharach and Broadway influences to create a stunning set at odds with the commercial trends of the era, songs about hard-to-express emotions presented in complex arrangements, which also served as a portrait of the artist as a young man and his declaration of intent, which included projecting an insane youthful self-confidence in his own greatness and great scorn for his contemporaries, wanting to be compared to Sondheim, not Spandau Ballet.Along the way we discuss the importance of Wendy Smith's voice, the Steely Dan factor, Paddy's “Shots Fired” diss tracks, and some of our favourite moments from Swoon that we hope will Sproutpill the uninitiated.Follow Rob Stammitti on Bluesky, subscribe to his Substack, visit his YouTube page and listen to his podcast with Brian Schmid, Box Office GROSS.“Side by Side with Sondheim – Swoon and the Great American Musical”, from the Sproutology website, a great resource for the Sproutpilled.Music video for Don't Sing, Prefab Sprout, 1984

In this week's mini-side, we are shining the spotlight on one of the most widely-known Broadway musicals of all time, "Fiddler on the Roof". This beloved classic has seen so many lives on and off Broadway and contains on of the most quintessential musical theatre scores out there. Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Mattie Lubchansky (Boys Weekend, Simplicity) and the lads grab their cow as white as milk, their cape as red as blood, their hair as yellow as corn, their slipper as pure as gold, and feed a potion to a rapping witch as they cover Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 1986 fairy tale musical: Into the Woods. Topics include the massive reworking of the second act, the many allegations against the Big Bad Wolf, and how Sondheim's most lucrative musical might also be his best.   Mattie Lubchansky: Website // Bluesky // Instagram // Patreon   Boys Weekend: A hilarious trans-“final girl” horror graphic novel about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. A witty, tender romp through the cosmic horror of being alive   In the Land of…Simplicity: An Account of the Unusual Peoples of the Former United States & A Sojourn Through the Exurb Zones And Other Unsecured Territories By An Intrepid Explorer From the Coalition of Secured City-States: a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains.   No Gods No Mayors: Municipal government: a trap that catches those too incompetent, too corrupt, too strange even for national politics. And the greatest of these, the mayor - the highest political office one can hope to reach with a truly oppositional personality or a crack addiction. Mattie Lubchansky, Riley Quinn and November Kelly are teaming up to make a podcast investigating these mayors. From petty Bonapartes to flagrant mafiosi, these are their stories. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed   Temporal Culture War: Mattie Lubchansky and Clayton Ashley figure out what the hell was going on in culture in the early 2000s while they wade through episodes of Star Trek Enterprise. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed   Media Referenced in this Episode: Into the Woods. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. 1986. Bernadette Peters and Original Into the Woods Cast Recall Untold Stories, Backstage Memories and Standouts With Sondheim by Adam Hetrick. Playbill. November 25th, 2014. From "Boom Crunch" to "The Last Midnight": How Into the Woods Transformed Throughout the Years by Logan Culwell-Block. Playbill. November 19th, 2014. Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany by Stephen Sondheim. Penguin Random House. 2011. Into the Woods: A conversation with Sondheim and Lapine – 1991 PBS TV Into the Woods - MTI Conversation Piece with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Into the Woods SR. at Lenox Hill   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “There's a Chance You Might Be Bi” // Music by Stephen Sondheim // Lyrics by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Himself”

In Episode 80, Brennan is joined by his fellow Gilded Age footman, Chris Jehnert, as they talk about his experience performing in theme parks, movies, and his boy band cover band "Larger Than Life"! However, be warned: 40% of the episode is just them laughing at themselves!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

To tee up the release of Merrily's screen capture, we look forward to a broad overview of Sondheim's wonderful score. Renditions from Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews, Lin-Manuel Miranda and various cast albums. 

Rick Pender returns to discuss his latest book Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Behind the Bloody Musical Masterpiece.Purchase the book 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 ★

Kenny and Mark piece together a fresh working theory about the Rebel Heart recording sessions with this true “fork in the road” lost album track. Topics include Avicii and country music voices, Julia Roberts, Malawi, sonic links, spiritual time management, Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, destinies, the power of love as a uniting force, and Madonna's top priorities in 2015. “We're only here to love."

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, cultural omnivore and author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, is back for round two and the deep dive continues! This week, Daniel tells us all about the time Stephen Sondheim visited Lin's high school dished the dirt about West Side Story with a room full of teenage theatre kids. That's where Lin learned that not even Sondheim nails it on the first try, and the messy process can lead to something even better than the original. That could be its own episode but hell no there's so much more going on this week! Among other things Daniel talks about what *he* learned while writing the book, the power of a great cliffhanger (seriously, you'll get chills!), and the importance of finding your field of other people in bee costumes. Ahem... I trust you'll understand the reference to the 90's lore without my having to name that tune. Plus, Daniel fills is in about his work on Mary Kathryn Nagle's upcoming (and currently untitled) documentary film on tribal consulting tribal sovereignty in law and theater, and the often-overlooked epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist Daniel Pollack-Pelzner Hollywood: An Oral History by Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wasson Blind Melon - No Rain Mary Kathryn Nagle Changes the Story, in Court and Onstage by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner The MMIW Project Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagel Sliver of a Full Moon 2022: Live Performance and Panel Discussion Sliver of a Full Moon || Radcliffe Institute Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps  

Want to see The Puzzler LIVE in NYC on Oct 7? Limited tickets available now! https://bit.ly/cheerfulpuzzler Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: author of Matching Minds with Sondheim, Barry Joseph! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is a co-production with Neuhaus Ideas. Our executive producers are Neely Lohmann and Adam Neuhaus of Neuhaus Ideas, and Lindsay Hoffman of iHeart Podcasts. The show is produced by Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown of Roulette Productions. Our Chief Puzzle Officer is Greg Pliska. Our associate producer is Andrea Schoenberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to see The Puzzler LIVE in NYC on Oct 7? Limited tickets available now! https://bit.ly/cheerfulpuzzler Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: author of Matching Minds with Sondheim, Barry Joseph! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is a co-production with Neuhaus Ideas. Our executive producers are Neely Lohmann and Adam Neuhaus of Neuhaus Ideas, and Lindsay Hoffman of iHeart Podcasts. The show is produced by Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown of Roulette Productions. Our Chief Puzzle Officer is Greg Pliska. Our associate producer is Andrea Schoenberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This song is probably the only time in Gypsy where June gets to have a showstopper of a performance. Christine Chen returns to give her thoughts on why this shouldn't be considered a throwaway song.Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.comChristine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArchChristine's podcast, Bottomless Broadway: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bottomless-broadway/id1457465060Its Twitter: https://twitter.com/bottomlessbwayAnd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bottomlessbway/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 ★