Putting It Together

Maybe the moon is cheese? Shannon Dohar returns to try and make sense of how Act 2 of Merrily We Roll Along starts. You can listen to Shannon's podcast, So Much Stuff to Sing , here: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com And you can follow Shannon on Twitte r: https://twitter.com/sdohar We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Original Broadway Cast (1981...

Jim Walton was the original Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along. He talks with Kyle about getting to New York, landing this iconic role, and his career since then. You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Original Broadway Cast (1981...

Ann Morrison originated the role of Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along . She joins Kyle to discuss how she got to audition for both Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, the heartbreak of closing, and how she's turned all of that into a new show. Find out more about what Ann is up to by going to her website : https://www.annmorrison.net/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finish...

Ted Chapin literally wrote the book on Follies! He joins Kyle to discuss the show that had such a formative impact on him, and gets into the new afterword that's been included in the latest reissue. You can purchase Everything Was Possible here: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Was-Possible-Musical-Follies/dp/1493065327/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat...

Terry Finn played the role of Gussie in the original production of Merrily We Roll Along. She talks to Kyle about coming to New York, being cast in the show, and what she did after it closed. You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Origin...

Frank's old friends give him advice, but his new friends persuade him to choose a different path. Nathan Beary Blustein joins Kyle to discuss the end of Act One, and what exactly is happening musically in this song. You can find out more about Nathan , by going to his website : https://www.nathanbearyblustein.com/ Or follow him on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rhapsodyinblu You can purchase Ste...

"Not a Day Goes By" appears twice in the show, but its meaning is vastly different. Christine Chen returns to discuss how the song also changes whether it's Frank or Beth who sings it, and why Mary should have been given more to do in this show. Christine's Blog : https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter : https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArch Christine's podcast, Bottomless Broadway :...

Should Frank abandon his old friends like his old dreams? Maybe that's what old friends are all about. Lucas Rougeux returns to figure out if Gussie is the villain and the best way someone should grow up. You can see more of Lucas' work on his website : https://ljrart.squarespace.com You can also follow him on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lucas.j.rougeux/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim...

Frank, Charlie, and Mary get on the same page, at least for a while. Ashley Pribyl returns to the show to discuss whose side she's on and why her old friends are so important to her. You can purchase the essay collection Sondheim in Our Time and His here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sondheim-in-our-time-and-his-9780197603208?cc=ca&lang=en& Follow Ashley on Twitter : https://twi...

Frank and Charlie's relationship implodes. Richard Brown joins Kyle to discuss the fun rhymes, the hidden meanings, and old tuna commercials. You can follow Richard on Twitter : https://twitter.com/rfbrownwards Or Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/rfbrownwards/ Or checkout the podcast he frequently guests on, Full Cast and Crew : https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/fullcastandcrew You c...

Doesn't everyone want to go back to how it was? Adrianna Boris returns to discuss being drunk, using metaphors, and the effects of nostalgia. You can follow Adrianna on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mrswillshakes/ Or Twitter : https://twitter.com/mrswillshakes/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using...

There are seven transitions in Merrily We Roll Along and each of them is different! Colm Molloy returns to discuss how they work within the narrative of the show and why they're necessary. You can check out Colm on Twitter : https://twitter.com/colmmolloy_/ Or Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/colmmolloy_/ Or even his website here: http://colmmolloy.com You can even listen to his music on: His...

A new production of Side by Side by Sondheim is happening at the Triad Theater in New York. Producer and performer Vanessa Paradis , director Geoffrey Doig-Marx , and performer (plus former Sondheim pen pal) Mardie Millit join Kyle to discuss how they got to be here. You can find ticket information at the Triad Theater here: https://www.instantseats.com/?fuseaction=home.artist&VenueID=526&...

Mark Murphy accidentally started a career in theatre. Not on-stage, but the actual construction of sets. He joins Kyle to tell how he combined his love of creating things and his love of music together. You can follow Mark on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MarkcrocMurphy You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are u...

Who is Frank? In a song that was written to replace "Rich and Happy" we get to hear more from people Frank now surrounds himself with. Will C. White returns to offer his insights into which song works better. William's podcast The Classical Gabfest : https://cgf.buzzsprout.com William's website : http://www.willcwhite.com William's Twitter : https://twitter.com/willcwhite William's YouTube : https...

Who wouldn't be singing if they were rich and happy? But maybe Franklin Shepard isn't all he's claiming to be. Chris Lewis joins Kyle to explore the original way Merrily We Roll Along introduced the party scene and whether it works better or worse than what replaced it. You can follow Chris on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/clewis1219/ You can also listen to his Sex and the City podcast, Sh...

It's a song that sets the stage for how the show is going to work. It also introduces the melody for when the musical goes back in time. Juan Carlos Guízar joins Kyle to discuss whether the original or updated version is better, and try to answer the question: how did we get to be here? Follow Juan Carlos Guízar on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/johncplz/ Or on Twitter : https://twitter.com...

It's considered one of the best overtures in all of musical theatre. Eric Matthew Richardson returns to the show to discuss how the overture sets the tone for the show and the backstory of how this musical came to be. Eric's website : http://www.ericmatthewrichardson.com Twitter : https://twitter.com/TheEMRMusic You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going...

Steven Bell returns to deconstruct what Sondheim is doing in the score of Merrily We Roll Along. There are themes that are reused throughout, sometimes they're slowed down or sped up, and there are motifs that follow each character. You can email Steve here: steve@slbway.com You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are...

Our next season is all about the flop known as Merrily We Roll Along. But should it actually be considered a failure? Joins us over the next few months as we dig into each song and attempt to answer that question.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Who isn't on the lookout for someone loyal as Harry, loving as Paul, cute as Jamie, happy as Peter, and handsome as Larry? To make sense of all of that Diep Tran joins Kyle to discuss "Someone is Waiting." Specifically how it differs in the latest Broadway production when compared to the original. You can find all of Diep Tran's work on her website : https://dieptran.com And you can also follow he...

In Buddy's Eyes is truly an actor's song. Matt Koplik returns to discuss Follies, how to deal with morally grey characters, and the wonderful Dorothy Collins. You can listen to Broadway Breakdown here: https://podtail.com/en/podcast/broadway-breakdown-1/ And you can follow Matt on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mattkoplik/ In this episode we mostly focus on the 1971 Original Broadway ca...

Let me entertain you! Well, let Luisa and Kyle entertain you by discussing "If Momma Was Married" from Gypsy. What does it tell us about these characters, and why is it so catchy? Visit Luisa Lyons 's amazing resource Filmed Live Musicals here: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com You can follow updates on Twitter : https://twitter.com/filmedliveMT You can also follow Luisa on Twitter : https://twit...

Phyllis completely eviscerates her husband. Jesse McAnally joins Kyle to discuss Follies, terrible relationships, and the fascinating rhymes from "Could I Leave You." You can hear Jesse on the podcast he co-hosts, Musicals with Cheese : https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/musicals-with-cheese/ Or his other podcast he co-hosts, Dear Friends Podcasts : https://dearfriendspodcast.carrd.co And...

Rob Berman has spent the last 15 years primarily looking at older musicals and how to update them for a modern audience. He joins Kyle to discuss talking with Sondheim, the new Into the Woods, and the future of revivals on Broadway. The revival of Into the Woods has been extended! Find tickets here: https://intothewoodsbway.com You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing th...