Scene to Song

In this episode, composer, soprano, and musical director Erin Hoerchler discuss the women of Rodgers and Hammerstein and the echoes of those characters today. We also talk about the song " It Ain't Necessarily So " from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, particularly the 1968 Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald version. 

In this episode, educators Courtney Ferrell and Shaun Leisher discuss directing middle school and high school students in musical theater. We also talk about the songs " Blackout " from Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and " Motherhood March " from Hello, Dolly!

In this episode, writer, actor, and singer Erica Slutsky discusses the films of Todd Graff (Camp, Bandslam, and Joyful Noise) and how they work as musical theater. We also talk about the Jason Robert Brown song " Someone to Fall Back On " and how it's used in the film Bandslam.    

In this episode, writer Jessica Fleitman discusses the musical My Fair Lady--its inherent sexism, the new ending in the most recent Broadway revival, and what the musical might look like from a female perspective. We also talk about the song " Without You " from My Fair Lady.

In this episode, writer David Brush and composer Rachel Dean discuss portraying mental illness in musical theater, the shows that do it well and what musical theater can bring to the dialogue and to those affected. We also talk about the song " I Miss the Mountains " from the 2009 musical Next to Normal.   

In this episode, two of this season's guests--Christie Baugher and Brandon Michael Lowden--return to discuss listener-submitted questions and comments. We also talk about songs from two Christmas musicals that no one thinks of as Christmas musicals: " Twelve Days to Christmas " from She Loves Me and " A New Deal for Christmas " from Annie.    

In this episode, writer  John Verderber  discusses musical worlds, conjuring different places through music, in musical theater, with a focus on the composer/lyricist Frank Loesser . We also talk about Meredith Wilson's song " My White Knight " from his 1957 musical The Music Man.

In this episode, composer Landon Braverman  discusses rock operas in musical theater, including deep dives into the scores of Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. We also talk about Michael Friedman's songs " I'm Not That Guy " and " I'm So That Guy " from his 2010 musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

In this episode, playwright, composer, and lyricist  Daniel Levin discusses plot twists in musical theater. We also talk about Jason Robert Brown's song " Still Hurting " from his 2002 musical The Last Five Years.    

In this episode, musical theater writer Christie Baugher discusses the female gaze in musical theater, from Oklahoma to Fun Home. We also talk about Micki Grant's song " Cleanin' Women " from the 1978 musical Working.

In this episode, composer and lyricist Benny Gammerman discusses Meredith Willson's 1957 musical, The Music Man. We also talk about the song " Ya Got Trouble " from The Music Man.

In this episode, composer, writer, and director John Grimmett discusses the opera libretto vs. the book in musical theater, including the eternal question: what makes a piece an opera and what makes a piece a musical? We also talk about the song sequence " Montage/Safe/The One I Love " from Michael John LaChiusa's 1993 musical Hello Again.

In this episode, composer, lyricist, bookwriter, and performer  Joe Iconis discusses outsider characters in musical theater, from Grease to Assassins to his own show Be More Chill . We also talk about the song " Cabaret " from Kander and Ebb's 1966 musical Cabaret.

In this episode, lyricist, bookwriter, dramaturg, and literary coordinator at The York Theatre Company  Seth Christenfeld  discusses adaptations in musical theater, from the history of adaptations vs. original musicals to the proliferation today of musicals based on popular movies. We also talk about the " Prologue " from the recent Dave Malloy musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

In this episode, writer Michael R. Jackson  discusses equity, diversity, and inclusion in musical theater, as well as how revivals contribute to inequality in musical theater. We also talk about the song " Not Anymore " from the 1973 musical Raisin.    

In this episode, writer Brandon Michael Lowden discusses the off-Broadway musical Venice and why audiences have different reactions to musicals in the theater. We also talk about the song " Last Man " from Venice.

In this episode, writer Sukari Jones discusses nontraditional/colorblind casting in musical theater. We also talk about what makes musical theater so good.

In this episode, composer Julia Meinwald discusses comedy in musical theater. We also talk about Joe Iconis's song "Jeff."

Hosted by writer Shoshana Greenberg, Scene to Song brings on a guest to talk about a musical, musical theater writers, or a topic or trend in musical theater. Theme music by Julia Meinwald.