Putting It Together

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...

Who better to sing a song about legacy than Elaine Stritch? Emily Clark joins Kyle in discussing Follies, Stritch, and a bunch of 1930s pop culture. You can listen to the podcast Emily co-hosts called Dear Friends Podcast : https://dearfriendspodcast.carrd.co She hosts Stealing Focus on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Divinemissem82 And you can follow her on Twitter : https://twitter.com/emilyabc...

Is it the best Act 1 finale ever? Marc Bonanni joins Kyle to discuss the incredible lyrics inside of "A Weekend in the Country" and also has time to offer opinions on Bob Fosse as well as superhero musicals. Watch Marc's analysis of other musical on his YouTube channel Broadway by Ghostlight : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7d1YnPq5Wk3J9T6Rmo05jQ You can also follow him on Instagram : https://w...

Stephen Sondheim wrote a love theme, "Goodbye For Now," for the movie Reds. Will C. White returns to discuss the fascinating production of the film and the music. 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://www.youtube.com/user/willcwhite You can pur...

The film adaptation of Sweeney Todd was released in 2007, directed by Tim Burton. Sondheim loved it, but it has divided fans ever since it came out. Luke Crichton returns to discuss Sweeney Todd in film generally, this movie specifically, and wonder whether it will ever be adapted again. The song I used at the end is called "Waves" from the album Atoms : https://youtu.be/QoCtqIreX-w Visit Luke Cri...

It took a few decades for Jeff Harnar not to feel intimidated to sing Sondheim's songs. He tells Kyle how he became fascinated with performing, when he started doing cabaret, and why this album feels so special to release. Check out Jeff Harnar's website here: http://jeffharnar.com You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo...

Sweeney Todd has been done MANY times. Kyle goes through all the official recordings he could find, plus all the video recordings that are available. 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 Sweeney Todd. The Original Broadway Cast (1979) starring Angela Lansbury, L...

The Final Sequence reprises many of the songs from Sweeney Todd in a macabre ending. Maragaret Hall returns to offer her perspective on what gets reprised and shares stories from the original production. You can find more information about Gemignani: Life and Lessons from Broadway and Beyond at Margaret's website : https://www.margaret-hall.com You can also follow her on Instagram : https://www.in...

The Beadle decides to sing soprano while Mrs. Lovett desperately tries to get him to leave. Hopefully Colm Molloy, who is returning to the podcast, isn't trying to get Kyle to leave so quickly. Plus, do these songs have any greater thematic point to the show? Listen to find out! You can check out Colm on Twitter : https://twitter.com/colmmolloy_/ Or Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/colmmolloy...

Toby wants to save Mrs. Lovett, but does Mrs. Lovett care about Toby? Matthew Conway joins Kyle to discuss that, whether Toby should be played by child or not, and how performing this song without the context of the show changes its message. 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 o...

This one deserves a little kiss. Michael Price returns to discuss the character of Mrs. Lovett, how different this song is after you know the ending, and whether Sweeney and her ever have sex. The Simpsons  currently finished airing its 33rd season on FOX . You can watch all seasons on Disney+ - https://www.disneyplus.com F Is for Family has ended its four season run. You can watch it all on Netfl...

Leonard Bernstein started with a specific instrument, and then by utilizing a tritone was able to create the entire score for West Side Story . Steve Bell joins Kyle to break it all down. 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 Send feedback to puttingittogetherpodcast@gmail.com...

It's the third time a song called Johanna appears in the Sweeney Todd score. Does it tell us anything new about the characters? Michael Vecchio returns to offer his insight into the motivations of Sweeney himself and the musicality that occurs while he's singing about the daughter he believes he'll never meet again. Follow Michael here: https://twitter.com/maestromichael2 You can purchase Stephen...

When we went for intermission Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett were making jokes about cooking people into pies. Now as we open Act 2 it seems like that's become a reality. Ashley Pribyl returns to discuss how this works as an Act 2 opener, and how this song discusses class while also being fun. You can purchase the essay collection Sondheim in Our Time and His here: https://global.oup.com/academic/pro...

Phil Geoffrey Bond fell in love with the theatre at a very young age. Over the past couple of decades he's created an amazing body of work in his role of producer. He joins Kyle to talk about his creative process and why he loves Sondheim so much. Learn everything you need to know about Sondheim Unplugged here: https://www.sondheimunplugged.com And check out their YouTube playlist: h ttps://www.yo...