ON BROADWAY

The 15th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the original production of 1994’s Passion. Rick will talk about how writer/director James Lapine and Sondheim collaborated on the show to create one of the composer’s most unique musicals.

I chat with Laurence Maslon, the author of the book, I'll Drink to That!: Broadway's Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired.

“The book expertly mixes clever cocktails that pay homage to unforgettable Broadway shows with authentic recipes for drinks that played supporting roles in beloved shows. Mason provides a history of the cocktail on Broadway along with a trove of theatrical anecdotes." 

The 14th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the original production of the 1987 Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods, which ran for 765 performances on Broadway.

Interview with Michael Urie (Professor Robert Langdon) and Hannah Cruz (Cryptologist Sophie Neveu) who are starring in the American premiere of play based on the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code. The show is playing at the Ogunquit Playhouse (http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/) through September 23.

On our podcast this week, I chat with Seth Bisen-Hersh, composer/lyricist whose musical, Love Quirks, ran Off-Broadway last summer. We talk about the show and issues trying to mount a musical in New York City. We also discuss his new film project and his hobby of creating crossword puzzles.

The 13th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the 1965 Stephen Sondheim/Richard Rodgers musical, Do I Hear a Waltz, his last Broadway show where he only wrote lyrics.

The 12th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the 1962 Stephen Sondheim musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, his first Broadway show where he wrote both music and lyrics.

For this week’s On Broadway podcast, I chat with author and critic Elysa Gardner on her book, “Magic To Do: Pippin's Fantastic, Fraught Journey to Broadway and Beyond,” which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stephen Schwartz musical. 

The 11th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the 1971 Stephen Sondheim musical, Follies.

On this episode, I chat with Tony Award–winning designer Derek McLane and fashion and entertainment writer Eila Mell on their book, Designing Broadway: How Derek McLane and Other Acclaimed Set Designers Create the Visual World of Theatre. It is a richly illustrated and information-packed celebration of Broadway set design reflecting on some of the greatest stage productions of the past few decades.

The 10th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we feature the 1959 Stephen Sondheim-Jule Styne collaboration, Gypsy, which starred Ethel Merman.

I chat with Ted Chapin, the author of the book - Everything was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies.

Visit the show page at https://broadwayradioprograms.com/2023/01/interview-with-ted-chapin/.

I chat with Musical Director Andrea Grody who has helmed such Broadway productions as The Band's Visit and Tootsie. She also worked on the Off-Broadway musical SUFFS. In addition, Ms. Grody has written a musical about individuals on the autism spectrum, Strange Faces.

I chat with Jesse Green, chief theater critic for The New York Times and co-author of the Mary Rodgers memoir -- Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers.

Visit the show page at https://broadwayradioprograms.com/2023/01/interview-with-jesse-green/.

The 9th episode in a series on the complete works of Stephen Sondheim. Rick Pender, the author of the The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia, is our musical guide.

For this episode, we discuss the 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George.