Putting It Together

Miracle Song can be looked at as a satirical takedown of religion. There are certainly gospel elements to the music and blatant Christian imagery. Christine Chen returns to talk to Kyle about this and whether this should have been the opening number. Christine's Blog : https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter : https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArch Christine's podcast, Bottomless Broadw...

The failure of Anyone Can Whistle is legendary. It closed after 9 performances. Madeline Botteri and Joel DeCandio , of The Sondheim Project, join Kyle in discussing how the first song of the show helps (and doesn't help) set the stage for what's to come. How is a show affected when the antagonist is the one who opens the show? Plus you'll hear from Angela Lansbury and her less than happy time bei...

The trailer for the upcoming season on the troubled Broadway show Anyone Can Whistle. You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using two productions to frame our discussion of Anyone Can Whistle. The original Broadway cast starring Angela Lansbury and Lee Remick (1962) You can listen to it on Apple Music: https://ap...

Kyle invites on Janet and Lucia of Repodcasting to discuss the film version of Forum, and figure out who would star in it if it were remade today. You can subscribe to Repodcasting here: https://repodcasting.blubrry.net Twitter : https://twitter.com/repodcasting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repodcasting/ Google survey about the show. PLEASE FILL THIS OUT IF YOU CAN! : https://forms.gle/xGE...

Federico Tedeschi returns to wrap up our season on A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. We discuss the weirdness of the Funeral Sequence, the appropriate way the Finale ends, and then have the return of the game How Many Tonys Was This Show Nominated For? Federico's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/federicotedeschi1/ Larry Gelbart talks about Forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3...

Philia's only solo song is one that shows how clueless she is about her whole situation. It might be a song that Sondheim fans disregard, but there are a few things worthy of consideration. Paul Matwychuk also discusses with Kyle about whether there might be a way for Philia to be portrayed differently, and whether the show should ever be revived. The podcast Trash, Art, and the Movies : http://my...

The character of Domina is usually considered a shrewish old woman who wrecks the fun for all the other characters. But perhaps there is more to her than that two dimensional depiction. Zina Lee joins Kyle to discuss her song, the treatment of women in the show, and whether gender swapping should be encouraged in the modern theatre. Zina's Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/zinajlee/ Alberta Po...

Miles Gloriosus is a brutish man who would be called "problematic" in our modern times. However, is there more to him than meets the eye? Christine Chen joins Kyle in discussing whether Miles is more bluster than barbarian. Also, at the end, there's a conversation about their favourite Sondheim show of all time. Christine's Blog : https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter : https://t...

There are no gibbering fools on this week's podcast. At least no more than usual. Elizabeth Keep joins the show for the first time to discuss the two songs I'm Calm and Impossible . Are they funny? Do you need to see the staging for them to work? Those and other fraughter things are to be expected this week. Elizabeth's Twitter : https://twitter.com/lizaanne42 Her website : https://lizaanne42.word...

Is Forum sexist or does it just feature sexist characters? Matt Sampson return to try and answer that questions, while also playing his piano to show how clever Sondheim can be, even with a generic list song. Matt's website : https://sampsonmusicstudios.com Avenue Q performs on the Tony Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsCKs26g-MM You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Fi...

Pretty Little Picture is certainly a witty song, but is it funny? William C. White returns to offer his opinions on a song that Sondheim considers one of his best. They also debate whether Zero Mostel or Nathan Lane sing it better. William C. White has a website you should visit: http://www.willcwhite.com You can also follow him on Twitter : https://twitter.com/willcwhite Or see him on YouTube : h...

The song Lovely appears twice in the show. The first is between two lovers, and the second is between two liars. Gus Gowland , UK-based musical theatre composer, joins the show to discuss which works better. Gus and Kyle try their best to be winsome while also making reference to the 1980s sitcom Perfect Strangers . Gus Gowland's website : https://www.gusgowland.com His Twitter : https://twitter.c...

Is freedom the necessary essence of democracy? Maybe or maybe not. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss how Pseudolus not only desires freedom but also desires to be looked at as a man. Pseudolus wants to be a real person. Perhaps Sondheim was trying to give characterization to caricatures. Erik's Twitter : https://twitter.com/sjcAustenite Erik's Prague Blog : http://erikspragueblog.blogspot.com You ca...

Love is a theme in many songs. For Hero this might just be the first time. Karen Unland returns to discuss young love and whether Sondheim is able to capture it effectively. Especially considering that he didn't find love until he turned 60. Karen's podcast she co-hosts with her daughter is called That's a Thing?! - https://thatsathing.transistor.fm You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book o...

Federico Tedeschi returns to the podcast to discuss Plautus, Roman drama, and a little farce. The new season is here! A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is the first Broadway musical that Stephen Sondheim was (finally) able to write both lyrics and music. Comedy Tonight is the most famous song from the show. On this episode Federico and Kyle discuss whether it holds up, if it's actuall...

I force Matt Mort to watch the 1962 film Gypsy to wrap up our conversation of the musical this season. We spend a few minutes talking about the movie and then spend the rest of the episode discussing my eccentricities and existential crises.  Survey for "Season 2" : https://goo.gl/forms/bfG0Ugjy1E8yqMX73 Matt's YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/MattsVloggingtoo Matt's Twitter : https://twitte...

The moment we've all been waiting for. Mama Rose comes to the realization that she's been forcing her children onto the stage not for their benefit but for hers. But, can we also feel sympathy for her? Layan Elwazani returns to delve into that question, plus play the game How Many Tonys Was This Show Nominated For? Survey for "Season 2": https://goo.gl/forms/bfG0Ugjy1E8yqMX73 Layan's website : htt...

Sometimes you just need to shake it 'til you break it. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss burlesque dancers needing a gimmick. This song is all about the visuals, so does it work to to just listen to? Listen to find out! Plus, weirdly, MMMBop is referenced. Survey for "Season 2" : https://goo.gl/forms/bfG0Ugjy1E8yqMX73 Erik's Twitter : https://twitter.com/sjcAustenite Gypsy Rose Lee 's only film appe...

John Mulaney and Seth Meyers co-wrote an episode of the IFC show Documentary Now! In it they parody the classic documentary about the musical Company. Kyle invites on Eric Matthew Richardso n to discuss their thoughts about what worked, what didn't, and wonder if anyone is going to understand it. Eric's website : http://www.ericmatthewrichardson.com Twitter : https://twitter.com/TheEMRMusic You ca...

Who knew a seemingly simple song could have so many different recordings? Matt Sampson calls in from Durham, North Carolina to offer his insight on a song sung by a trio of amigos. Or, could it be that it's actually Rose psychologically manipulating people to her whim? Also Kyle struggles to recall an anecdote from the seminal 1994 film The Little Rascals. Matt's website : https://sampsonmusicstud...

Eric Matthew Richardson is a composer who lives in Chicago. He may or may not have some radical things to say about Everything's Coming Up Roses, the song that closes Act 1 of Gypsy. Certainly he is knowledgable about the song and the history of the show. Plus, we hear some audio snippets from Arthur Laurents as he discusses not only Gypsy, but what makes a good musical director. Eric's website :...

Adam Kostanuick returns to discuss why Tulsa's song in Gypsy may or may not be needed. Plus we delve deep into what Harris tweed is and why Kyle should consider buying a jacket made from it. Adam's podcast The Young Gaffers : http://www.theyounggaffers.com You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using three product...

Darby Turnbull calls in from Melbourne to discuss his life as an actor and creator, plus offers insight into If Momma Was Married. What some may disregard as a fluffy song is actually a deeply layered character piece where two sister talk openly about their mother and wish for a better future. Ethel Merman on the Gypsy Rose Lee Show : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqCgnX0s0M8 Laura Benanti wins...

Federico Tedeschi is an Italian student who has a deep love for Stephen Sondheim. After researching who made the music for Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd he discovered an entire body of work that he happily consumed. In this episode he discusses with Kyle how Europeans aren't as interested in musical theatre as they are with other art forms, how this song is necessary for the whole show, and how Rose m...

Isaac Bernier-Doyle returns to the show to explore two (somewhat?) contentious songs. Kyle certainly discovers that he likes a certain song less and another song he begins to appreciate more. Also, what would happen if Mr. Goldstone were combined with Little Lamb as Sondheim once considered? It's a fascinating alternate universe. How do you like them egg rolls? Isaac is the co-host of That's a Sha...