A lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process.In Season One, host David Armstrong traces the evolution of American Musical Theater from its birth at the dawn of the 20th Century, through its mid-century “Golden Age”, and right up to its current 21st Century renaissance; and also explore how musicals have reflected and shaped our world -- especially in regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, and equality.
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Irving Berlin, Bing Crosby and the Story of "White Christmas," America's Most Popular Song, part 2 (00:41:17)
This is the second of two special holiday episodes of Broadway Nation. Just like the first, this is an audio version of a Broadway Nation Live! performance that was given in December of 2019 at the Vashon Center For The Performing Arts on Vashon Island, WA. If you prefer to watch a video of this performance you can stream it on their website at: vashoncenterforthearts.org
In Part One we looked at how the Jewish-Russian immigrant songwriter, Irving Berlin — in addition to being one of the prime inventors of the Broadway Musical — also created an entirely new category of popular song: “the Christmas Standard.” In this episode we explore how Berlin was aided and abetted in that endeavor by the son of Irish and German immigrants from Washington State who became one of the most popular performers of all time — Bing Crosby. Along with Judy Garland I call Bing one of Broadway’s greatest stars who never appeared on Broadway.
But first, we start off with Albert Evans’ amazing in-depth analysis of the genius of Irving Berlin, and the inspiration and craft that is behind the most popular song of all time. As you will remember, the last episode ended with me introducing Albert and asking him this question: “Why? Why is White Christmas the most popular song of all time?” You won’t want to miss his answer!
This live show features musical performances by Cayman Ilika, Eric Ankrim, Chris DiStefano, and Albert Evans.
Happy New Year!
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Encore Episode: The Story Behind the Song, WHITE CHRISTMAS (00:34:25)
This is a special holiday reprise of one of Broadway Nation's most popular episodes: It's an audio version of a Broadway Nation Live! performance that was presented in December of 2019 at the Vashon Center For The Performing Arts on Vashon Island just outside of Seattle, WA.
Several previous episodes of Broadway Nation have explored the crucial role that the Jewish Russian immigrant songwriter, Irving Berlin, played in the invention of the Broadway Musical. This time I share the story of how he also invented an entirely new category of popular song – the Christmas standard.
This live show features musical performances by Cayman Ilika, Eric Ankrim, Chris DiStefano, and Albert Evans.
Happy Holidays!
Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!
I want to thank our Broadway Nation Patron Club members, such as Larry Spinelli, whose generous support helps to make it possible for me to bring this podcast to you each week. If you would like to support the creation of Broadway Nation, here is the information about how you too can become a patron.
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!
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Ep 193: BY STRAUSS! In Search of THE GREAT WALTZ, part 2 (00:50:20)
This week Albert Evans joins me once again as we go “In Search of Lost Broadway.” Specifically, the 1934 smash-hit musical The Great Waltz, conceived, directed, and lighted by Hassard. Short, with a book
by Moss Hart, choreography by Albertina Rasch, based on the Viennese operetta and London hit, Waltzes From Vienna with English lyrics by Desmond Carter, and featuring the music of both Johann Strausses, I and II.
If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.
Today, because 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II, I begin by taking a brief survey of his surprisingly substantial legacy on Broadway, including 26 Broadway productions featuring his music between 1882 and 1990.
Then Albert and I begin to explore the long legacy of The Great Waltz, which includes multiple film and stage productions spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s, with a special focus in this episode on the fourth incarnation of this musical: the 1938 MGM film operetta, also titled The Great Waltz.
But is it indeed a movie version of the Broadway show? That's the big question we try to solve.
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A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BROADWAY NATION! (00:02:16)
You are invited to join me on December 11 at 5:00 PM at The Museum of Broadway where Tony and Olivier Award-winning lyricist , David Zippel, will be interview me about my new book, Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical.
Reserve your FREE seats now at https://www.themuseumofbroadway.com/calendar
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EP 192: IN SEARCH OF LOST BROADWAY — THE GREAT WALTZ (00:54:54)
This is the second in our occasional series of episodes that I'm calling "In Search of Lost Broadway,” in which my longtime colleague Albert Evans and I try to unearth and rediscover musicals that were very significant and influential Broadway hits in their day but now have disappeared from almost all discussion of Broadway's past and receive only the briefest mentions in the history books.
Today, we focus on a big hit musical of the 1930s that I highly doubt anyone listening to this podcast has ever seen live on stage. That show is THE GREAT WALTZ. It opened on Broadway in 1934 and became one of the longest-running musicals of the decade.
It was the creation of three very significant Broadway artists of what I call the “Silver Age” of Broadway: bookwriter MOSS HART, choreographer ALBERTINA RASCH, and, most notably, the musicals conceiver, director, and lighting designer HASSARD SHORT — who I have come to believe is one of the most important and yet most under-acknowledged Queer inventors of the Broadway musical.
Our goal (at least until someone invents a time machine so that we can journey back to see the show) has been to identify and evaluate firsthand accounts, reviews, scholarship, recordings, films, videos, et cetera (including three movie versions and a live television production) in terms of how effectively they can help us to understand, appreciate and even, to some degree, experience the original Broadway production.
Another reason I selected this show for us to focus on right now is because just a few weeks ago, October 25th, 2025, marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of JOHANN STRAUSS II, who even though he died in 1899, had an amazingly significant presence on Broadway during the 20th century, including 27 showsfeaturing his music between 1882 and
1990. Albert and I will review that list of musicals on the next episode.
Here is your Broadway Nation Ep 192: In Search of Lost Broadway: The Great Waltz companion guide to related media:
A studio cast recording of Waltzes From Vienna, the score of which seems to have been carried over into the Broadway production of The Great Waltz:
Onstage and behind-the-scenes newsreel footage of the original production of The Great Waltz:
The full 1934 film version of Waltzes From Vienna, directed by Alfred Hitchcock:
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Encore Episode: MY FIRST SONDHEIM (00:37:58)
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!
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Ep 191: HOW A SONDHEIM REJECTION INSPIRED A BROADWAY NOVEL! (00:34:43)
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.
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QUEER MUSICALS 3 — FUN HOME, THE PROM, & JAGGED LITTLE PILL (00:33:29)
This is the third and final part of my conversation with author Rob Schneider, who returns to tell us more about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill. On this episode, Fun Home, The Prom, and Jagged Little Pill.
Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members, such as JUDY HUCKA.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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This is the second part of my conversation with author Rob Schneider, who returns to tell us more about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill. On this episode, Falsettos, Hedwig And the Angry Inch, BARE, and Kinky Boots.
Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022.
On this first episode in this series, we discuss the musicals Boy Meets Boy, La Cage aux Folles, and The Knife.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Ep 188: QUEER MUSICALS — From Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill (00:38:27)
On this episode my guest is Rob Schneider, who returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill.
Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022.
On this first episode in this series, we discuss the musicals Boy Meets Boy, La Cage aux Folles, and The Knife.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Ep 187: 20 YEARS of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (01:03:49)
Amazingly, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Broadway
musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
In 2005, after an incredibly short development period, opened first off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater, and quickly moved to Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway. It was nominated for six Tony Awards and won two, including “Best Book of a Musical,” and the show would go on to run for 1,136 performances and be produced around the world.
In celebration of that anniversary, two new productions will open this fall. Off-Broadway at New World Stages, performances are scheduled to begin on November 27, and next week, on October 21, Spelling Bee will open at Theater Under the Stars in Houston, Texas, where it is directed and choreographed by my guest today, TUTS’s Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges. Not coincidentally, Knechtges made his Broadway debut as the choreographer of the original production, and as you will hear, he was actively involved in every stage of that musical’s development from its very first incarnation working closely with composer/lyricist William Finn, and director, James Lapine.
Knechtges’ other Broadway credits includes the choreography
of Sondheim On Sondheim, the revival of 110 in the Shade, and Xanadu,
for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and the direction and
choreography of the musical Lysistrata Jones.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Ep 6: Lorenz Hart & The Queer Artists Who Invented Broadway! (00:32:03)
To a great extent the Broadway Musical has been a queer creation -- and for more than 125 years the musical theater world has been filled with brilliant and creative LGBTQ people, including many in the highest positions of power and influence. In this episode David Armstrong shares the fascinating stories Broadway's defining queer choreographers Robert Alton & Jack Cole, the legendary gay songwriters Noel Coward and Larry Hart, directors Monty Wooley and Moss Hart, and prolific bookwriter Herbert Fields, who is without doubt one of the most significant and least known inventors of the Broadway Musical!
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COME FROM AWAY — The Most Produced Play of the Year, part 2 (00:36:42)
This is the second part of this Encore Episode from 2021 featuring a conversation with Irene Sankoff & David Hein — the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the international smash hit musical Come From Away which recently topped American Theatre magazine's list of the most produced plays in America in 2025/26.
On the previous episode Irene and David related how they got hooked on musicals, and how they went from their first show based on a true story — My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding — to deciding to create a musical based on the real life events that happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the days following 9/11. They also described what it was like to attend the 10th Anniversary of the events in Gander and then begin to transform the stories they heard there into a musical during an early workshop production at The Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College. We also explored the classic Broadway shows that influenced and inspired the writing of their book, music, and lyrics for Come From Away.
If you missed part one you may want to go back and catch up on that episode before you listen to this one.
Today we look at the extensive development process that CFA went through on its journey to Broadway — including a workshop in Seattle, a series of productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Seattle Rep, Ford’s Theater in DC. and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, as well as a thrilling concert presentation in Gander where it all began.
Back in 2015, I served as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and, as such, I had the great pleasure of co-producing that original Seattle workshop of Come From Away. This was the first time that the show’s Tony award winning director Christopher Ashley and choreographer, Kelly Devine began to work on the show — and it was great fun to recall that exciting experience with Irene and David.
Come From Away is the fifth musical to originate in Canada and eventually open on Broadway.
The first was 1974’s Rockabye Hamlet with book, music and lyrics by Cliff Jones. This rock musical adaptation of Shakespeare was originally titled Kronborg 1582 and was well received, first as a radio series on the CBC, and then at the Charlottetown Theatre Festival and on tour in Canada, before being retitled and opening on Broadway with Gower Champion as the director. It became a legendary flop and closed after 7 performances.
Next, in 1980 came the intimate and engaging Billy Bishop Goes To War written by John McLachlan Gray the show featured one actor to playing18 different roles to tell the story of real life Canadian fighter pilot Billy Bishop during the first World War. This show nearly doubled the run of Rockabye Hamlet closing after 12 performances. However, over the next ten years Billy Bishop Goes To War received scores of productions at theaters all across North America.
The Story Of My Life, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, opened on Broadway in 2009. Unfortunately, it had an even shorter run than either of the previous two Canadian shows.
However, one year earlier, a group of Canadian writers finally scored a significant hit with The Drowsy Chaperone – book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. This delightful show opened on Broadway in 2008, received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, and ran for 674 performances.
There have been a few other Canadian writers that found success on Broadway – Galt McDermott being the most famous of them – but that was with shows that originated in the US.
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The Most Produced Play in America: Come From Away (00:38:24)
My guests today are Irene Sankoff & David Hein – the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the giant international smash hit musical Come From Away.
Five productions of Come From Away have recently reopened around the world: Broadway, Toronto, London, Sydney and on tour across America. A live filmed version of the show is also streaming on Apple TV+.
Irene and David won the 2019 Olivier Award and were nominated for the 2018 Grammy Award and the 2017 Tony Award for their book and score for Come From Away, with the show itself winning the 2019 Olivier Award for Best Musical, three 2017 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, four Helen Hayes Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. David and Irene were also the recipients of the 2017 Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Book. A live filmed version of Come From Away is now streaming on Apple TV+. Their first show, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on David’s mother’s true story) was produced by Mirvish Productions in Toronto and played and won Best Musical awards across North America, with Sankoff and Hein performing in most productions. They are currently working on projects with Disney, Warner Bros. and Netflix. Irene and David are the recipients of the Good Neighbour Award from the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy and the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada. They are proud members of the Dramatists Guild, Writer’s Guild East and ASCAP. @sankoffandhein
In this conversation, we explore how Come From Away fits into the history of the Broadway musical – which musical theater writers from the past influenced Irene and David, and what classic shows inspired them. And we will look back at their first musical, which has the memorable title: My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. But first, I wanted to find out how they got started down this path in the first place.
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Ep 186: GOING HOLLYWOOD — THE OXFORD GUIDES TO FILM MUSICALS (01:16:11)
On this special video and audio episode of Broadway Nation my guests are Dominic Broomfield—McHugh, editor of The Oxford Guides to Film Musicals, along with the authors of the first three books in this new series: Geoffrey Block (Love Me Tonight), Andrew Buchman (Singin' in the Rain), Hannah Lewis (La La Land).
You can watch the video version on YouTube, Spotify, and the Broadway Podcast Network.
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Ep 185: CHALLENGING SONDHEIM — A conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 5. (00:53:31)
This is the fifth and final episode in this series of conversations with RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the acclaimed book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
This week Richard and I discuss two of Stephen Sondheim's most challenging musicals, ASSASSINS and PASSION, as well as his final show HERE WE ARE.
If you missed the first four episodes in this series, you may want to catch up with them before listening to this one.
Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Ep 4: Eubie Blake & the Black Artists Who Invented Broadway (00:30:05)
The 1920s brought the second great era of musicals that were written by, staged by, and starring Black theater artists to Broadway. In this episode I profile these brilliant creators and stars including Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle, Flournoy Miller & Aurbry Lyles, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and their musicals -- Shuffle Along, Runnin' Wild, Blackbirds of 1929, Hot Chocolates and more. It also includes a brief history of that great African American/Irish American co-creation, Tap Dancing.
And featuring music by The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra -- for more music from this era, check out their terrific Black Manhattan series of recordings.
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Episode 3: Bert Williams & the Black Artists Who Invented Broadway (00:38:29)
African American theater artists played a significantly larger role in the creation of the Broadway Musical than is generally acknowledged — including an entire decade of nearly forgotten hit shows and songs! In this episode, we will rediscover the early history of Black Broadway and the amazingly multi-talented men and women whose legacy still inspires Broadway today!
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Ep 184: SONDHEIM GIVES US MORE TO SEE — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 4. (01:00:24)
My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the
much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most brilliant works, Sunday In the Park with George and Into the Woods.
If you missed the first three episodes in this series, you may want to catch up with them before listening to this one.
Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 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
Episode 183: SONDHEIM MAKES HISTORY, a conversation with author Richard Schoch, part 3 (00:58:03)
My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the
much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
In the first two episodes of this series, Richard took us deep
inside the inner workings and underlying meanings of Gypsy, Company, Follies, and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them.
This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most challenging and brilliant works, Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd —The Demon Barber
of Fleet Street.
If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with that before embarking on this one.
Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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PodSwap! DAVID ARMSTRONG on THE WRONG CAT DIED podcast. (00:47:09)
“Some people might say CATS is a ripoff of A Chorus Line. I don’t want to go that far but it’s remarkably similar. I think it’s sort of a doppelganger of A Chorus Line.” In this episode, host Mike Abrams welcomes David Armstrong, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network host and author of the newly published book Broadway Nation.'They delve into the rich history of Broadway musicals, highlighting the significant influences and connections, including how the iconic musical CATS ties into this history. Armstrong shares fascinating insights about the evolution of Broadway from his podcast and University of Washington course, the criteria behind the Jellicle choice, and how reality shows like 'Queen for a Day' may have influenced Broadway storytelling.
00:53 David’s Broadway Journey
01:22 The Evolution from Podcast to Book
07:26 The Impact of A Chorus Line on CATS
08:17 The British Theater Transformation
12:16 The Reality Show Parallel
27:54 Assigning CATS to Students
28:39 Discussing the 2019 Movie
35:17 The Jellicle Choice Debate
Check out Broadway Nation on Instagram: @davidatbroadwaynation
Check out the Broadway Nation Podcast
Check out the Broadway Nation Book
Produced by:
Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied
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Episode 182: In Search of Lost Broadway: RIO RITA (01:00:33)
Never fear! Richard Schoch will return soon for the third and fourth segments of our conversation regarding his recent book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life.
In the meantime, I am excited to share with you the first of what I anticipate will become an occasional new series, which I am calling IN SEARCH OF LOST BROADWAY. And in this episode, my guest ALBERT EVANS and I will try to rediscover the hit 1927 musical RIO RITA.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 click on this link:
https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/
Thank you in advance for your support!
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Episode 181: SONDHEIM'S "MOMENTS OF TRUTH" — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 2. (00:45:12)
My guest again this week is Richard Schoch, author
of the much-acclaimed book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life.
Last week, Richard took us deep inside the inner workings
of both Gypsy and Company. In this episode, through his insightful analysis of the musicals Follies and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them, Schoch illuminates Sondheim’s incredible genius for plumbing the depths of human experience.
If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with it before embarking on this one.
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Bonus Episode: The BROADWAY NATION BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION! (01:43:44)
Join author David Armstrong for a lively conversation hosted by Alan Seales of The Theatre Podcast celebrating the release of Armstrong's new book, Broadway Nation—How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical. With co-host Michelle Simone Miller host of the podcast Mentors On the Mic.
At this virtual book launch party you will have the opportunity to meet David Armstrong and hear the inside story of the creation of his first book. You will also have a chance to participate in an exclusive Q&A; and compete with other Broadway fans in a MUSICAL THEATER TRVIA CONTEST to win your own copy of Broadway Nation!
Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical is a comprehensive history of America’s signature art form, the Broadway musical, with a unique emphasis on the powerful (but often overlooked) impact that marginalized groups have had on its evolution. Inspired by the popular large lecture course that author David Armstrong teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama, as well as his Broadway Nation podcast, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon.
Order the book here: https://amzn.to/3TuoUcl
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Episode 180: "BETTER LIVING THROUGH SONDHEIM" with author RICHARD SCHOCH (00:54:25)
After a brief summer break, I am thrilled to be back with an all-new episode of Broadway Nation!
My guest this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the recent and much-acclaimed book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Just when you thought there might be nothing left to say about the musicals of Stephen Sondheim, Schoch's engaging book opens up a new treasure trove of fascinating analysis and insight.
Richard Schoch, is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, and is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria.
Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!
This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members.
If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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
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