Special Encore Episode: The Story Behind White Christmas, part 1

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.

Episode 161: Fixing The Musical, Part 2

This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Doug Reside, whose fascinating new book is titled Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory.

Episode 160: Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory

Over the past century, thousands of musicals have opened on Broadway. Why do we remember some and not others? My guest this week is Doug Reside, the author of a very interesting new book: Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory.

Episode 159: Dance In Musical Theatre — A History of the Body in Movement

My guests this week are Dustyn Martincich & Phoebe Rumsey who have edited and authored (along with a number of other contributors) a recent book titled Dance In Musical Theatre — A History of the Body in Movement.

Encore Episode: Transgressive Women —Major Themes of the Broadway Musical, part 1

With Gypsy on Broadway, Wicked on movie screens nationwide and Mama I'm A Big Girl Now off-Broadway, this seemed to be the perfect time to revisit this episode from the first season of Broadway Nation. This was the first of three episodes highlighting the principal themes of the Broadway Musical.

Episode 158: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 3

This is the third and final segment of my recent conversation with author Laurie Winer regarding her book Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical, recently released in paperback.

Episode 157: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 2

My guest again this week is the noted journalist and theater critic Laurie Winer, who returns for part two of our conversation about her book, Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

Episode 156: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 1

My guest this week is the noted journalist and theater critic Laurie Winer, the author of a beautifully written and expertly researched book, Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical.

Episode 155: SHOWMANCE — A New Broadway Novel

My guest is six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin, who has created book & lyrics for Broadway musicals The Prom, Disney’s Aladdin, The Wedding Singer, and Elf. Today, he joins me to discuss his captivating new novel set in the world of theater, SHOWMANCE.

Episode 154: TikTok and the Broadway Musical, part two

Today’s episode is the second half of my conversation with Trevor Boffone regarding his fascinating new book: TikTok Broadway — Musical Theatre Fandom in the Digital Age. If you missed part one of our discussion, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

Episode 153: TikTok Broadway — Musical Theatre Fandom in the Digital Age, part 1.

My guest this week is Trevor Boffone whose new book is titled TikTok Broadway — Musical Theatre Fandom in the Digital Age. I suspect that many of you, like me, are not on TikTok and may not immediately think this book will be of great interest to you.

Episode 152: Forty Years of Forbidden Broadway!

Today, my guest is my old friend, GERARD ALESSANDRINI, creator of the long-running off-Broadway hit revue Forbidden Broadway, which recently opened its 27th edition, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY — MERRILY WE STOLE A SONG now playing at Theater555 NYC.

Episode 151: More Songs Of The Season

This is the second part of my recent conversation with author Thomas Hischak regarding his new book, Song Of The Season — Outstanding Broadway Songs Since 1891.

Episode 150: Song of The Season — Outstanding Broadway Songs Since 1891, part 1

Author Thomas Hischak returns to the Broadway Nation this week to tell us about his captivating new book, Song Of The Season — Outstanding Broadway Songs Since 1891. For this book, Hischak analyzed every Broadway season since 1891 and selected one song as the most outstanding.

Episode 149: "A Song About Hope" — A Conversation with BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL

Welcome to a new season of Broadway Nation — the podcast that delves deeply into the remarkable history of the Broadway musical, with a special focus on the Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists who invented it.

Season Preview — A Special Message from Broadway Nation

Hi this is David Armstrong. You may be wondering where I and Broadway Nation have been over the past few weeks. As you will hear, I have been battling a wicked case of bronchitis and today is the first day in ten days that I have been able to talk even enough to croak out this brief message.

Episode 148: Julian Eltinge In Hollywood!

I’m David Armstrong, and my guest again today is author Andrew L. Erdman, whose captivating new book is titled Beautiful — The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator.

Episode 147: The Musical Theater of Julian Eltinge

My guest again this week is author Andrew Erdman, whose captivating new book is Beautiful—The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator.

Episode 146: Julian Eltinge — America's First Drag Superstar, part 1

My guest on this episode is Andrew L. Erdman, who is the author of the new book: Beautiful — The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator.

Special Encore Episode: SONDHEIM AND ME

This special encore episode of Broadway Nation was first released in the fall of 2022. My guest is PAUL SALSINI, who many listeners will remember as the founder and original editor of The Sondheim Review, the first and only quarterly magazine ever devoted to a living musical theater composer.

Episode 145: "Still Goin' Strong" — 60 Years of HELLO DOLLY!

My guest this week is award-winning entertainer Richard Skipper, who joins me to talk about his new show, Still Going Strong—A Celebration of 60 Years of Hello Dolly!, which he will be bringing to various venues on several continents over the next few months, starting with Crazy Coqs in London on August 5th.

Episode 144: One More For The Road — The Theater of Bette Midler, part 3

Today I am excited to share with you the third and final segment of my conversation with author Kevin Winkler regarding his new book, On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide. In this engaging book, Kevin focuses on all aspects of Bette Midler’s career — on stage, recordings, film, and television.

Episode 143: Bette On The Half Shell: The Theatre of Bette Midler, part 2

On today’s episode author Kevin Winkler returns for the second part of our discussion of his fascinating new book, On Bette Midler — An Opinionated Guide. If you missed part one of this conversation, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

Episode 142: The Theater of Bette Midler

This week I am excited to welcome author Kevin Winkler back to Broadway Nation to discuss his new book, On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide. This engaging book is a critical analysis of every aspect of Bette Midler’s career on stage, recordings, film, and television, but in this conversation, we focus primarily on her work as a theater artist.

Encore Episode: Everything Sondheim: Inside The Creation of the Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia

In this Encore Episode from 2021, author Rick Pender takes us inside the creation of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia. Rick Pender is a longtime member and former chair of the American Theater Critics Association.

Episode 141: Exceptional Storytelling Is Possible

My guest again this week is author BEN WEST who returns for the fourth and final segment of our conversation in regard to his exceptional new book The American Musical – Evolution of an Art Form.

Episode 140: The "Rigorous Creative Science" of the American Musical

This is the third segment of my conversation with author BEN WEST, regarding his new book: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL — EVOLUTION OF AN ART FORM. As you will hear this book is a comprehensive history of the American Musical from its origins in the 19th Century right up to the turn to the 21st Century.

Episode 139: Birth Of An Art Form — Evolution of the American Musical, part 2.

Today’s episode is the second part of my recent conversation with author BEN WEST, regarding his his exceptionally comprehensive new book: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL — EVOLUTION OF AN ART FORM.

Episode: 138: The Evolution of the American Musical

My guest this week is author BEN WEST, who joins me to discuss his exceptional new book: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL — EVOLUTION OF AN ART FORM. This book is a comprehensive history of the American Musical that traces the form’s creative journey from its 19th Century beginnings through its 20th Century maturation, and on to the turn of the 21st century.

Episode 137: Broadway Melody — A Novel Approach to Broadway History

My guest this week is Jack Viertel who joins us to talk about his delightful new novel, Broadway Melody. This is one of a fascinating wave of novels that explore the history of Broadway though a combination of fictional characters and real-life Broadway figures.

Carolyn, Dorothy, David, and More: Cy Coleman's Lyricists with special guest David Zippel

During an incredible Broadway career that stretched from 1953 to 1998, composer Cy Coleman created the music for 12 Broadway musicals. Unlike most Broadway composers, however, he was never part of an ongoing songwriting team but instead worked with seven very talented but very different collaborators.

Encore Episode: Patricia Zipprodt and the Women Who Invented Broadway

This is the second part of my discussion with Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Ann Hould-Ward in which we trace the legacy chain of Broadway costume design expertise that was handed down directly over a 100-year period from Aileen Bernstein to Irene Shariff to Patricia Zipprodt to Ann Hould-Ward, herself.

Special Encore Episode: Irene Sharaff And The Women That Invented Broadway

To celebrate Women's History Month he is the first of two episodes recorded during the pandemic about the history of Broadway Costume design with special guest Ann Hould-Ward. Irene Sharraff is the legendary Broadway costume designer whose incredible 56-year career spanned from 1933 to 1989.

Episode 136: THE MUSICALS THAT NEVER CAME TO BROADWAY

My guest this week is Robert W. Schneider who joins me to talk about his new podcast, Broadway Bound — The Musicals That Never Came To Broadway. Each of the ten episodes in the first season of this wonderfully researched new series focuses on a high-profile musical that was on its way to Broadway but for various reasons never made it.

Episode 135: GO INTO YOUR DANCE: The Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes, part 3

My guest again this week is author Maya Cantu who returns for the third and final part of our conversation about her fascinating book: Greasepaint Puritan — Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes.

Episode 134: Before GYPSY there was STAGE MOTHER — The Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes, part 2

My guest again today is author Maya Cantu who returns to discuss her book, Greasepaint Puritan — Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes.

Episode 133: 42nd STREET & the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes

My guest this week is author Maya Cantu who joins me to discuss her new book, Greasepaint Puritan — Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes.

Special Encore Episode: The Black Musical Returns!

This is a special encore episode of Broadway Nation. 1970s Broadway experienced another blast from the past with the return of the Black Musical. More than a dozen hit black musicals opened during the decade, and three of them won the Tony Award for BEST MUSICAL.

Episode 132: MARY & ETHEL & STEPHEN COLE

My guest today is the prolific and award-winning book writer and lyricist Stephen Cole who joins me today to talk about his new novel: Mary & Ethel…and Mikey Who? I found it to be a terrific book, both wildly funny and very moving.

Special Encore Episode: Tails Of Broadway - with theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni

My guest today is theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni.

Special Encore Episode: Inside The Creation of FOLLIES

My guest this week is Ted Chapin whose captivating 2003 book Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical “Follies,” has recently been reissued in a revised and updated edition.

Special Encore Episode: Robbins, Fosse, Bennett & Gennaro! — The Craft and Art of Broadway Choreography

This is the second half of my conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating book is titled: Making Broadway Dance. If you missed part one you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one.

Special Encore Episode: Katherine Dunham, Agnes de Mille & The Craft and Art of Broadway Choreography

This is the first half of my recent conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating new book is titled: Making Broadway Dance.

Special Encore Episode: "Sensory Abundance!": or, Why We Are Hooked On Musicals

Why are the great Musicals so unforgettable? Why do musicals have so much power and impact? How is it that they are able to live in our hearts and memories for a lifetime? Musicals are experiences that get embedded in our psyche.

A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 2

This is the second of two special holiday bonus 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.

Episode 131: The Last NOEL!

This is the seventh and final episode in my series of conversations with author OLIVER SODEN regarding his recent book: MASQUERADE: THE LIVES OF NOEL COWARD. This week we explore the final chapters of both Coward's life and this brilliant biography.

Episode 130: NOEL COWARD in LAS VEGAS

This week marks the 124th birthday Noel Coward who was born on December 16, 1899, just in time to become, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th Century. And yes, his parents named him Noel because his birth came so close to Christmas!

Episode 129: Noel Coward In A Changing World, part 5

My guest again this week is Oliver Soden whose recent book is titled Masquerade – The Lives of Noel Coward. I am devoting more episodes to this book than I have to any previous books, but I found the writing and research to be so exceptional, and this conversation with Soden to be so captivating that I don’t want you to miss any of it.

Episode 128: The Lives of NOEL COWARD, part 4

This is the fourth part of my interview with Oliver Soden author of the truly extraordinary new book MASQUERADE — THE LIVES OF NOEL COWARD.

Episode 127: Private Lives, Gertrude Lawrence & The Lives of Lives of Noel Coward, part 3

This is the third part of my interview with Oliver Soden author of the truly extraordinary new book MASQUERADE — THE LIVES OF NOEL COWARD.

Special Encore Episode: GYPSY vs THE SOUND OF MUSIC in the Golden Age of Broadway

Hello Broadway Nation listeners! This week for the first time in more than 126 episodes some unforeseen technical complications have reared their ugly heads and those, on top of the tech rehearsals for the upcoming production of White Christmas that I am co-directing at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, and some important deadlines for my upcoming book, have all come together and kept me from posting a new episode of this podcast as planned.

Special Encore Episode: PAL JOEY & the Silver Age of Broadway

This is a special encore episode of Broadway Nation. In light of the recent revisal of Rodgers & Hart's musical comedy Pal Joey at New York's City Center I thought it would be interesting to revisit one of my favorite episodes.

Episode 126: THE LIVES OF NOEL COWARD, part 2

My guest again this week is Oliver Soden, author of the amazing new biography: Masquerade — The Lives of Noel Coward. Today in the second part of our conversation Oliver relates how Noel Coward, while still in his early 20s, emerged as one of the signature voices of the 1920s, both in London and on Broadway.

Episode 125: MASQUERADE — THE LIVES OF NOEL COWARD

My guest this week is OLIVER SODEN, the author of a truly remarkable new book: Masquerade — The Lives of Noel Coward. As frequent listeners to this podcast may remember, as a teenager growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, I developed an unlikely affinity for all things related to Noel Coward, inspired I am sure by that double record cast recording of the 1972 musical revue, Oh, Coward!

Episode 124: A PASSION FOR PASTICHE!

I am thrilled to announce that today’s episode is a Broadway Nation take over!

Special Encore Episode: Jesus Christ Superstar & the Rise of The Rock Musical!

Although nobody knew it at the time, in April of 1968 “The Golden Age of Broadway” came to an abrupt end on the opening night of the “tribal rock musical” HAIR, which took America by storm and created a shocking jump cut into what I call “The Modern Era" of the Broadway Musical.

Episode 123: National Identity and the British Musicals, part 2

Today’s episode is the second half of my recent discussion with author Grace Barnes whose fascinating new book it titled: National Identity and the British Musical — From Blood Brothers to Cinderella.

Episode 122: National Identity and the British Musical — From Blood Brothers to Cinderella.

My guest today is Grace Barnes whose new book it titled: National Identity and the British Musical — From Blood Brothers to Cinderella.

Special Encore Episode: Katherine Dunham & Agnes DeMille — The Craft & Art Of Broadway Choreography

This is an encore presentation of my conversation with author Liza Gennaro, regarding her fascinating book : Making Broadway Dance.

Episode 121: Adapting Broadway to Hollywood: CABARET, part 4

This is the fourth and final segment of my recent conversation with author Geoffrey Block regarding his latest book: A Fine Romance — Adapting Broadway To Hollywood In the Studio System Era.

Episode 120: Further Adapting Broadway To Hollywood

This is the third part of my conversation with author Geoffrey Block regarding his recent book: A Fine Romance — Adapting Broadway To Hollywood In the Studio System Era. This very interesting new book takes an in-depth look at 12 Broadway stage musicals and their Hollywood movie musical adaptations.

Episode 119: More Adapting BROADWAY to HOLLYWOOD

This is the second part of my conversation with author Geoffrey Block regarding his recent book: A Fine Romance — Adapting Broadway To Hollywood In the Studio System Era.

Episode 118: Adapting Broadway to Hollywood, part 1

This is the first part of my recent conversation with Geoffrey Block whose latest book is titled: A Fine Romance — Adapting Broadway To Hollywood In the Studio System Era.

Episode 117: POD SWAP! Broadway Nation meets A Musical Theatre Podcast

This is a special POD SWAP editions of Broadway Nation! Last December it was my great pleasure to be a guest on Jeffrey Scott Parson’s terrific show, A Musical Theatre Podcast, and this week I am thrilled to share that episode with my Broadway Nation audience.

Episode 116: Further Histories of the Musical Theatre

This is the third and final part of my recent conversation with authors Millie Taylor & Adam Rush about their captivating new book titled, Musical Theatre Histories: Expanding the Narrative. As you will hear, Millie and Adam have uncovered new alternative ways of relating the history of the Musical.

Episode 115: More "Histories" of Musical Theatre

My guests again this week are Millie Taylor & Adam Rush, the authors of a very interesting new book titled, Musical Theatre Histories: Expanding the Narrative. This is the second part of our conversation about their unique approach to relating the history of both the American and the British Musical Theatre.

Episode 114: Musical Theatre Histories: Expanding The Narrative

My guests this week are Millie Taylor and Adam Rush, the authors of a very interesting new book titled, Musical Theatre Histories: Expanding the Narrative. Musical theatre is often perceived as being either a Broadway based art form, or as having separate histories in London and New York.

Special Encore Episode: DOROTHY FIELDS and the Women Who Invented Broadway!

Celebrating Dorothy Fields 118th Birthday! Women have had a much more significant impact on the Broadway Musical than has generally been reported or acknowledged. In fact, talented, dynamic women have been a major force in the creation and development of the American musical theater from the very beginning and right up to today.

Episode 113: How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical

This is the third and final part of my conversation with Ben Francis whose amazingly compelling new book is titled Careful the Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical.

Episode 112: Careful The Spell You Cast, part 2

This is the second part of my conversation with author Ben Francis regarding his very compelling new book: Careful the Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical.

Episode 111: Careful The Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended The Range of the American Musical.

My guest today is Ben Francis, author of a very compelling new book titled Careful the Spell You Cast — How Stephen Sondheim Extended the Range of the American Musical. Sondheim is without a doubt one of the most studied, examined, and analyzed Broadway creators of all time.

Special Encore Episode: "I Am What I Am" — Gay Liberation & the AIDS Crisis on Broadway!

This is a special Encore Episode in celebration of PRIDE month. The Stonewall Rebellion in 1969 thrust the issue of Gay Rights into the mainstream and as a result, during the 1970s queer people became “out, loud, and proud” in significant numbers.

Encore Episode: Cole Porter & The Queers Who Invented Broadway

This is a special Pride Month encore of one of Broadway Nation's earliest episodes! From the very beginning the Broadway Musical has to a very large degree been a Queer creation.

Episode 110: THE SHAPE OF A MUSICAL

This is the second half of my conversation with Rebecca Applin Warner, who is the author of a new book: The Musical Theatre Composer As Dramatist — A Handbook For Collaboration.

Episode 109: IT'S ALL ABOUT STORYTELLING!

My guest this week is author Rebecca Applin Warner, whose new book is titled The Musical Theatre Composer As Dramatist — A Handbook For Collaboration.

Encore Episode: Trude Rittmann & The Women Who Invented Broadway

This is a Special Encore release of one of my personal favorite episodes! You may not know the name, Trude Rittmann, but you have certainly heard her music.

Episode 108: MY FRIEND SANDY, part 2

This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Deborah Phillips whose fascinating new book is titled AND THIS IS MY FRIEND SANDY — SANDY WILSON’S THE BOY FRIEND, LONDON THEATRE AND GAY CULTURE.

Episode 107: Sandy Wilson's THE BOYFRIEND, London Theatre and Gay Culture

My guest this week is author Deborah Phillips whose new book is titled: AND THIS IS MY FRIEND SANDY — SANDY WILSON’S THE BOY FRIEND, LONDON THEATRE AND GAY CULTURE. Sandy Wilson's The Boyfriend — for which he wrote the book, music, & lyrics — is one of the most successful British musicals of all time.

Encore Episode: Celebrating 63 Years of THE FANTASTICKS

This is a special Encore episode of Broadway Nation in celebration of the 63rd Anniversary of the Off-Broadway musical phenomenon, The Fantasticks. That show opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village on May 3, 1960, and went on to play there for an incredible 42 years closing in January of 2002.

Episode 106; ITAMAR MOSES — From THE BAND"S VISIT to AN AMERICAN TAIL

My guest this week is playwright Itamar Moses, winner of the 2018 Tony Award for “Best Book of a Musical” for his beautiful work on the Tony Award winning “Best Musical”, The Band’s Visit.

Episode 105: Two Degrees of George Abbott, The Abbott Touch, part 2

This is the second half of my conversation with Thomas Hischak whose new book is titled The Abbott Touch — Pal Joey, Damn Yankees and the Theatre of George Abbott. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up with the previous episode before listening to this one.

Episode 104: The Abbott Touch — The Theatre of George Abbott, part 1.

My guest this week is author Thomas Hischak whose new book is titled: The Abbott Touch — Pal Joey, Damn Yankees and the theatre of George Abbott. For more than 60 years — from 1913 to 1994 — George Abbott was a major force on Broadway.

Episode 103: More Scandalous Gertrude Hoffmann

My guest again this week is Sunny Stalter-Pace whose fascinating new book is titled: Imitation Artist — Gertrude Hoffmann’s Life in Vaudeville and Dance.

Episode 102: The Scandalous Life & Career of GERTRUDE HOFFMANN

My guest this week is Sunny Stalter-Pace whose wonderful new book is titled: Imitation Artist — Gertrude Hoffmann’s Life in Vaudeville and Dance. And I am happy to say that this book covers her life on Broadway as well.

Episode 101: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL, part 3

This is the third and final part of my conversation with author, Barry Kester whose new book is titled, Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL. (If you missed either of the previous two episodes you may want to catch up with those before listening to this one.

Episode 100: WHO'S THE GREATEST STAR?

Welcome to the 100th episode of Broadway Nation! To celebrate I invited Albert Evans to join me to discuss, debate, and decide once and for all who is the Greatest Broadway Musical Star Of All Time!

Episode 99: ROUND IN CIRCLES, part 2

This is the second part of my conversation with author Barry Kester whose fascinating new book is titled: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL.

Episode 98: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL

My guest on Broadway Nation this week is Barry Kester, author of the fascinating new book: Round In Circles — The Story of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL. I thought I knew a lot about Carousel — and in fact Albert Evans and I have previously devoted several previous episodes to that show and its truly groundbreaking innovations.

Special Bonus Encore Episode: When Broadway Was Black, part Two!

This is a special bonus Encore episode of Broadway Nation in celebration of the rerelease of the book formerly known as Footnotes and now retitled When Broadway Was Black — The Triumphant Story of The All Black Musical That Changed The World.

Encore Episode: When Broadway Was Black!

This is a special Encore edition of Broadway Nation. In the fall of 2021, I devoted two episodes to the remarkable book Footnotes by Caseen Gaines which was published to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the landmark musical Shuffle Along.

Episode: 97: Coming Out Of The Dark — A Conversation with Sheldon Epps, part 3

My guest again today is director Sheldon Epps, and this is the third and final part of our recent conversation about his long and successful career as he relates it in his new book: My Own Directions — A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre.

Episode 96: How To Transform An American Theatre

This is the second part of my conversation with director Sheldon Epps whose very engaging new book is titled: My Own Directions — A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre.

Episode 95: A Black Man's Journey In The American Theatre

My guest today is Sheldon Epps whose new book is titled, My Own Directions — A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre. There he shares the story of his long and successful career during which he has often been “the first”, “one of the few”, or even “the only” person of color to reach various levels of achievement in the world of theater.

Episode 94: More On The Life of MARY RODGERS

Today’s episode is the second half of my conversation with JESSE GREEN, author of the New York Times best seller SHY: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers — undoubtably the most talked about theater book in years!

Episode 93: "Under Richard Rodgers Piano" — A Conversation with JESSE GREEN

My guest today is Jesse Green who, in addition to being the Chief Theatre Critic for the New York Times, is the author of the most acclaimed and talked about theater book in recent memory – SHY: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers.

Episode 92: Fosse vs. Schwartz — 50 Years of PIPPIN, part 2

This is the second half of my conversation with author Elysa Gardner whose new book is titled: Magic To Do — Pippin’s Fantastic, Fraught, Journey To Broadway And Beyond.

Episode 91: 50 Years of PIPPIN, part 1

A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 2

This is the second of two special holiday bonus 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.

A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 1

Here is the link to join the Backstage Pass Club and support Broadway Nation: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.com/new_landing. 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!

Special ENCORE Episode; Noel Coward, Larry Hart, Herbert Fields & The Queers Who Invented Broadway

This week’s special ENCORE Episode is in celebration of Noel Coward’s birthday! Noel Coward was born just outside of London on December 16, 1899, and in fact he was named him Noel because his birth came so close to Christmas!

Episode 90: A Novel Approach To Broadway History

My guest this week is author Laura Frankos whose delightful and entertaining new novel is titled Broadway Revival — What If Gershwin Had Lived? Although this is the first work of fiction that I have featured on this podcast, as you will hear, Broadway Revival is filled with fascinating and meticulously researched Broadway history.

Episode 89: More Of Why We Love/Hate Movie Musicals!

This is the second half of my conversation with my dear friend and frequent co-host, Albert Evans, in which we explore the differences between stage and film musicals. If you missed part one you may want to catch up before listening to this one.

Episode 88: Why We Love/Hate Movie Musicals, part 1

This episode is in response to a question I get quite often from listeners: Is Broadway Nation ever going to focus on movie musicals? Well, today is the day! Of course, I don’t really hate any movie musicals. And I love quite a few of them.

Episode 87: Sondheim And Me

My guest this week on Broadway Nation podcast is Paul Salsini, author of the memoir, Sondheim & Me. Many listeners will know Paul as the founder and original editor of the much beloved magazine, The Sondheim Review, the first only quarterly magazine ever devoted to a living musical theater composer.

Episode 86: A Preview of the Museum Of Broadway!

New episode out now! My guests this week are JULIE BOARDMAN & DIANE NICOLETTI — the founders and driving forces behind the Museum Of Broadway! In this episode Julie and Diane share with us the story of how this first ever Broadway museum has come to be.

Episode 85: RETURN OF THE MONSTER MUSICAL!

This is the second half of my conversation with Adam Abraham, author of the engaging new book Attack Of The Monster Musical – A Cultural History Of Little Shop Of Horrors. If you missed the previous episode you may want to catch up with that one before listening to this one.

Episode 84: Attack Of The Monster Musical, part 1

This special Halloween edition of Broadway Nation! This is the first part of my conversation with Adam Abraham, author of Attack of the Monster Musical – A Cultural History of Little Shop Of Horrors.

Episode 83: Inside The Creation of FOLLIES

My guest this week is Ted Chapin who’s captivating 2003 book Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical “Follies,” has recently been reissued in a revised and updated edition.

Episode 82: Broadway Musical Debates, Disputes, & Disagreements

My guest today is Peter Filichia who is the author of the new book that he calls The Book of Broadway Musical Debates, Disputes, and Disagreements. As a prolific theater journalist and critic Peter has written for Playbill, Theatermania, Broadway Select, Encore, and if you are in my age range you may even remember a magazine namedTheater Week!

Special Encore Episode: Cameron Mackintosh & The British Invasion of Broadway

As you have probably heard, The Phantom Of The Opera – the longest running show in Broadway history –– recently announced that it will close this coming February, just over 35 years after it first opened on Broadway.

Special ENCORE Episode: George Gershwin, Vincent Youmans & The Silver Age Of Broadway, part 1

This special Encore episode of Broadway Nation celebrates the birthdays this week of two of Broadways greatest composers -- George Gershwin & Vincent Youmans. Both were born 124 years ago in 1898 and they came into the world just one day apart – Gershwin on September 26, and Youmans on September 27.

Episode 81: RAZZLE DAZZLE: A Brief History of Lighting Design On Broadway, part 2.

Episode 80: COLOR AND LIGHT: A Brief History of Broadway Lighting Design

My guest on this episode is Tony Award winning lighting designer Ken Billington who created the lighting for an incredible 105 Broadway plays and musicals, including 21 productions that were directed by Harold Prince.

Episode 79: Further Scandals Of George White

This episode is the second half of my conversation with Gary Flannery regarding the life and career of Broadway dancer, director, choreographer, writer and producer, George White.

Episode 78: George White And His Scandals!

This is the first part of my conversation with Gary Flannery who somehow, while pursuing his own spectacular career as dancer, also found time to become the leading expert on the tumultuous life and career of George White – the fabled Broadway producer, director, choreographer, writer, songwriter and dancer.

Episode 77: 20 Years of HAIRSPRAY, Part 3.

Continuing our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of HAIRSPRAY – The Musical, my guest this week is the show’s original choreographer JERRY MITCHELL who shares with us a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look into the creation of that Tony Award winning musical -- especially in regard to the how the show’s unique staging, choreography, design, as well as many of its most memorable moments were first dreamed up and executed!

Episode 76: 20 Years of HAIRSPRAY, part 2

My guests on Broadway Nation today are the Tony Award winning songwriting team of Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman who join me to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Hairspray – The Musical. That’s right!

Episode 75: FINALE: Sunday In The Park, Into The Woods, Crazy For You & GEMIGNANI

This is the fourth and final section of my conversation with author Margaret Hall, about her recent biography of Paul Gemignani that is titled Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond.

Episode 74: Sweeney, Merrily, Dreamgirls & Gemignani

This is the third part of my conversation with author Margaret Hall, whose captivating new book is titled Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond. If you missed the first two parts you may want to catch up on those episodes before listening to this one.

Episode 73: Sondheim, Prince & Gemignani

This is the second part of my recent conversation with author Margaret Hall, the remarkable young theater historian whose new book is titled Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one.

Episode 72: Broadway's First Choice - Paul Gemignani. part 1

My guest this week is Margaret Hall, a remarkable young theater historian who is the author of the celebrated new book Gemignani – Life And Lessons From Broadway And Beyond.

Special Encore Episode: Eubie Blake & The Black Artists Who Invented Broadway

The 1920's brought the second great era of musicals that were written by, staged by, and starring Black theater artists to Broadway.

Special Encore Episode: Irving Berlin & The Immigrants Who Invented Broadway

Encore Episode: "Yearning To Breathe Free": George M. Cohan & The Immigrants Who Invented The Broadway Musical

This is a special holiday rerelease of the very first episode of Broadway Nation. In this episode David Armstrong and Albert Evans begin to tell the remarkable story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African-Americans invented America's signature art form -- the Broadway Musical.

Ep 71: Politics & Musicals: 20 Years of HAIRSPRAY

This week’s episode is a little different because it’s two podcasts in one! It’s a collab between David Armstrong’s Broadway Nation and Dirty Moderate With Adam Epstein.

Episode 70: "The Show Must Go On" - Behind The Scenes Of The New Documentary

My guests are the mother/daughter team of Sammi Cannold & Dori Berinstein, who are the co-directors and co-producers of the new documentary The Show Must Go On -- a film that I found to be both fascinating and very moving.

Episode 69: Barry Bostwick & Marilu Henner - Fifty Years Of Grease, Part 3

2022 marks the 5Oth Anniversary of one of the most popular musicals in the history of Broadway – GREASE. My guests on this episode are two of the many stars that emerged from the original Broadway and touring productions of that long running, record breaking show – Barry Bostwick & Marilu Henner.

Episode 68: Fifty Years Of Grease, Part 2

My guests on this episode are the original producer and director of the Broadway musical GREASE -- Ken Waissman and Tom Moore. This is the second half of our recent conversation. If you missed part one you may want to catch up on that first before listening to this one.

Episode 67: Fifty Years Of GREASE, part 1

It may be hard for some of us to believe, but this past Valentine’s Day – Feb 14, 2022 – marked the 50th Anniversary of the New York opening of the musical GREASE, at the Eden Theater on 2nd Avenue. And next week, June 7, will mark the 50th Anniversary of its official move to Broadway.

Episode 66: "A Story Worth Telling": Inside The Creation of THE PROM

My guests today are writers Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin. Bob Martin is perhaps best known as the co-creator and original star (The Man In The Chair) of the hit Broadway musical The Drowsy Chaperone.

Episode 65: "Getting To Know Him": The Letters Of Oscar Hammerstein II

My guest on this episode is Mark Eden Horowitz who joins me to talk about his fascinating new book, The Letters of Oscar Hammerstein II.

Episode 64: The Other Broadway, Part 2 - "Satan's Circus" & The Lobster Palaces

Episode 63: THE OTHER BROADWAY, part 1: The Origins of New York Nightlife

This is the first episode of a new Broadway Nation mini-series that explores what I am calling, “The Other Broadway”.

Special Encore Episode: "Let The Sun Shine": The Rise Of The Pop/Rock Musical

Although nobody knew it at the time, in April of 1968 “The Golden Age of Broadway” came to an abrupt end on the opening night of the “tribal rock musical” HAIR, which took America by storm and created a shocking jump cut into what I call “The Modern Era" of the Broadway Musical.

Episode 62: Exploring The Roots Of Broadway Dance

“The story of Jazz Dance is the story of America.” My guests today are the creators of the acclaimed new film documentary: Uprooted – The Journey of Jazz Dance, which has been winning awards at film festivals around the world, and in the US can currently be seen on HBO Max.

Special Encore Episode: Bye Bye Birdie & The Golden Age of Broadway, Part 3: The 1960s

This is a special Encore episode of Broadway Nation. I am reprising it not only because I think this is one the best episodes ever of this podcast, but also because it could not be more timely since it relates to a number of things happening on Broadway and in the world this week.

Episode 61: The Craft And Art Of Broadway Choreography , part 2

This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating new book is titled: Making Broadway Dance. If you missed part one you may want to catch up on that episode before listening to this one.

Episode 60: Katherine Dunham & Agnes de Mille - The Craft & Art of Broadway Choreography

This is the first half of my recent conversation with author Liza Gennaro, whose fascinating new book is titled: Making Broadway Dance.

Episode 59: Four Visions Of West Side Story

When I realized that this week’s episode of Broadway Nation would come out just two days after what would have been Stephen Sondheim’s 92nd birthday, and only three days prior to the Oscars telecast where the new Stephen Spielberg remake of West Side Story will be in contention for seven Academy Awards including “Best Picture” – this seemed like the perfect time to devote an episode to comparing and contrasting the four major visions of this landmark show.

Episode 58: The Genius Of Sondheim

This is a special live and in person episode of Broadway Nation! It was recorded on March 6, 2022 live at the Vashon Center for The Arts where I was joined onstage by a terrific group of singers, and special guest Albert Evans, to pay tribute to the late, great Stephen Sondheim.

Special Encore Episode: Agnes de Mille & The Women Who Invented Broadway Choreography & Lighting Design

This is a special encore episode of Broadway Nation. March is “Women’s History Month”, so this seemed like the perfect time to revisit one my earliest episodes. Creative and talented women have played vital and important roles in the Broadway musical from the very beginning, but their contributions are often overlooked or undervalued.

Episode 57: The Fall And Rise of Yiddish Theater -- How The Yiddish Theater Influenced Broadway, part 2

Episode 56: From 2nd Avenue To Times Square - How The Yiddish Theater Influenced Broadway

On this episode my guest is acclaimed actor, singer, writer, producer and director Avi Hoffman who specializes in Jewish culture and Yiddish theater.

Special Encore Episode: "Forgotten Forefathers" - The Black Artists Who Invented Broadway

This week’s special Encore episode of Broadway Nation celebrates a unique "Broadwayversary": On February 18, 1903 – 119 years ago tomorrow – one of the very first Broadway musicals entirely written, staged, produced, and performed by black theater artists opened at the New York Theatre in the heart of Times Square.

Special Encore Episode: West Side Story vs. The Music Man

This is special Encore edition of Broadway Nation! Today, February 10, 2022, marks the official opening night of the much delayed, much anticipated, much talked about big new Broadway revival of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster.

Episode 55: The King Of Broadway - The Genius Of Tommy Tune, part 3

This is the third and final part of my recent conversation with Kevin Winkler, author of the fascinating new book: “Everything Is Choreography” – The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune. If you missed parts one and two, you may want to go back and listen to those before starting on this one.

Episode 54: "You Gotta Take Care Of Business" - The Genius of Tommy Tune, part 2

This is the second part of my conversation with Kevin Winkler, author of the fascinating new book: Everything Is Choreography – The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune. If you missed part one, you may want to go back and listen to that before embarking on this one.

Episode 53: The Theatrical Genius Of Tommy Tune, part 1

This episode is made possible in part by the generous support of Broadway Nation “Backstage Pass Club” Producer Level Members: Steven & Paula Reynolds. Today my guest is Kevin Winkler, author of the new book: Everything Is Choreography – The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune.

Episode 52: The Other Musicals Of Meredith Willson

This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of Robert Braun who is a "Producer Level Member" of our Broadway Nation “Backstage Pass Club”. Information on how you can become a member of The Backstage Pass Club can be found here: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.com.

Episode 51: The Musicals of Meredith Wilson, Part 1

This week my guest is author Dominick McHugh, author of the recent book, The Big Parade – Meredith Wilson’s Musicals From The Music Man To 1491. Dominick is Professor of Musicology at the University of Sheffield in the UK.

SPECIAL ENCORE EPISODE: "WHITE CHRISTMAS" -- THE STORY OF AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR SONG, part 2

This is the second of two special holiday bonus 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.

SPECIAL ENCORE EPISODE: "WHITE CHRISTMAS": THE STORY BEHIND THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR SONG, Part 1

This is a special holiday encore 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 in Washington State.

Episode 50: 100 YEARS OF SHUFFLE ALONG, part 4

This episode is made possible in part by the generous support of Broadway Nation "Backstage Pass Club" Producer Level Member, Tracy Wellans. For information on how to join the "Backstage Pass Club" please go the show notes for this episode at www.broadway-nation.com.

Episode 49: 100 YEARS OF SHUFFLE ALONG!, part 3

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Shuffle Along!, the groundbreaking musical that kicked off an entire decade of vibrant black musical theatre on Broadway which included more than a dozen shows that were created by black songwriters, black bookwriters, black producers, black directors and choreographers -- and these shows brought hundreds of black actors, singers, dancers, and musicians to Broadway.

Episode 48: MY FIRST SONDHEIM with special guest Albert Evans

This week’s episode is a little different. I recorded this 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.

Episode 47: "Listening To The Audience"

This is the second part of my recent conversation with Irene Sankoff & David Hein -- the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the international smash hit musical Come From Away.

Episode 46: "ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS"

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.

Episode 45: CHILDREN WILL LISTEN, part 2

This episode continues my conversation with author Stacy Wolf about her most recent book: Beyond Broadway: The Pleasure And Promise of Musical Theater Across America , where she relates her cross-country journey from Maine to California during which she visited grade schools, middle schools, high schools, summer camps, festivals, and community theater in cities and towns, large and very small, and along the way discovered that the Broadway musical is alive and thriving!

Episode 44: Children Will Listen

I recently had the pleasure of to chatting with author Stacy Wolf about her most recent book entitled, Beyond Broadway: The Pleasure And Promise of Musical Theater Across America. Stacy is a Professor of Theater at Princeton University and the Director of their Program in Music Theater.

Episode 43: TAILS OF BROADWAY! with theatrical animal trainer BILL BERLONI

My guest today is theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni.

Episode 42: Fifty Years On Broadway with Lee Roy Reams!, Part 3

This is the final part of my conversation with Broadway actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer Lee Roy Reams, at least for now. I am sure I will have Lee Roy back for another discussion in the not so distant future.

Episode 41: Fifty Years On Broadway -- with Lee Roy Reams!

This is the second part of my conversation with Broadway actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer Lee Roy Reams whose nine Broadway musicals span from Sweet Charity in 1966 to The Producers in 1996, and as you will hear – he is still going strong!

Episode 40: FIFTY YEARS ON BROADWAY! with LEE ROY REAMS

I recently had the delightful opportunity to chat with beloved Broadway actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer Lee Roy Reams whose nine Broadway musicals span from Sweet Charity in 1966 to The Producers in 1996, and he is still going strong having recently celebrated his 79th birthday with performances at 54 Below and The York Theatre Company!

Episode 39: Carolyn, Dorothy, David and More: Cy Coleman's Lyricists

During an incredible Broadway career that stretched from 1953 to 1998, composer Cy Coleman created the music for 12 Broadway musicals. Unlike most Broadway composers, however, he was never part of an ongoing songwriting team but instead worked with seven very talented but very different collaborators.

Episode 38: 100 Years of Shuffle Along, Part 2

This week I continue my conversation with author Cassen Gaines whose fascinating new book Footnotes: The Black Artists Who Rewrote the Rules of the Great White Way tells the story of how in 1921 four talented and determined young black vaudevillians -- Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller and Aubrey Lyles -- against incredible odds, teamed up to produce a runaway Broadway hit that ushered in a vibrant decade of Black Musicals on Broadway.

Episode 37: 100 Years of SHUFFLE ALONG!, Part 1

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Shuffle Along! The groundbreaking musical that kicked off a decade of vibrant black musical theatre on Broadway which included more than a dozen shows created by black songwriters, black bookwriters, black producers, black directors and choreographers -- and these shows brought hundreds of black actors, singers, dancers, and musicians to Broadway.

Episode 36: Everything Sondheim: Inside the Creation of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia with author Rick Pender

Author Rick Pender takes us inside the creation of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia. Rick Pender is a longtime member and former chair of the American Theater Critics Association. He first began reviewing theater in 1985 for a public radio station he managed at Northern Kentucky University.

Episode 35: "Sensory Abundance!": or, Why We Are Hooked On Musicals

Why are the great Musicals so unforgettable? Why do musicals have so much power and impact? How is it that they are able to live in our hearts and memories for a lifetime? Musicals are experiences that get embedded in our psyche.

Episode 34: Community: The Major Themes Of The Broadway Musical, part 3

Over the past two episode we’ve explored the principal themes that underly the greatest number of Broadway Musicals. Two weeks ago we looked at “Transgressive Women”, last week it was “Equity, Justice and Inclusion”, and today we explore “Community”.

Episode 33: Equity, Justice & Inclusion: The Major Themes of the Broadway Musical, part 2

At the beginning of each episode of this podcast I state that the Broadway Musical was invented by various marginalized and disenfranchised people, and that in the process of creating it, they transformed American culture as well.

Special Bonus Episode: "White Christmas": The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, Part 2

This is the second of two special holiday bonus 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.

Special Bonus Episode: "White Christmas": The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, Part 1

This special holiday bonus episode of Broadway Nation is 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 in Washington State.

Episode 32: Transgressive Women: Major Themes of the Broadway Musical, part 1.

This is the first of three episodes highlighting the principal themes of the Broadway Musical. Today I look at the single most ubiquitous and pervasive theme: “Transgressive Women”.

Episode 31:"Defying Gravity" - The Broadway Musical in the 21st Century

In today’s episode I focus on the Broadway Musicals of the 21st Century. Perhaps surprisingly, the current generation of Broadway creators has re-embraced and reinvigorated both the “Musical Comedy” and the “Musical Play” in ways that I think would make Rodgers & Hammerstein very proud.

Episode 30: "Razzle Dazzle": The Broadway Musicals Of The 1990s, Part 2

In the second half of my interview with NY Post columnist Michael Riedel about his new book, Singular Sensation – The Triumph of Broadway we continue the story of the Broadway Musical as it moved from the final decade of the 20th Century into the new millennium.

Episode 29: "The Triumph Of Broadway": The Musicals Of The 1990s, part 1 - with special guest Michael Riedel

I recently had a chance to interview NY Post columnist Michael Riedel about his new book, Singular Sensation, and that conversation proved to be the perfect vehicle to tell the story of the Broadway Musical during the final decade of the 20th Century.

Episode 28: Cameron Mackintosh & The British Invasion of Broadway (or Sondheim vs the Poperetta)

In this episode I explore what is often called “The British Invasion of Broadway” – a ten-year period during which it seemed that writers, directors, designers, producers and even performers from the UK had sailed in, taken over Broadway, and commandeered America’s signature art form – the Musical.

Episode 27: Broadway Comes Out: Gay Liberation & The AIDS Crisis On Broadway - The Modern Era, part 6

The progressive and disruptive social movements of the 1960s and 70s had a huge impact on the Broadway Musical and were reflected back into the culture by them. These include the Civil Rights movement, Women’s Liberation, Black Power, and the Gay Liberation Movement.

Episode 26: Harold Prince & the Concept Musical - The Modern Era of Broadway, part 5

In this episode I explore the history of what is called the “Concept Musical”, including its key creators: Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett and their game changing musicals Cabaret, Company, Follies, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Cats, and Dreamgirls.

Episode 25: The Black Musical Returns! - The Modern Era of Broadway, part 4.

Over the last three episodes I charted the rise of the Rock Musical – from HAIR to EVITA, - as well as the very unlikely “Nostalgia Craze” that swept Broadway and America during the 1970’s. 1970s Broadway experienced another blast from the past with the return of the Black Musical.

Episode 24: Crazy For Nostalgia - The Modern Era of Broadway, part 3

In this episode I continue my review of Broadway’s Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s and beyond. Many of the musicals that emerged in the late 60s and very early 70s were also influenced by the incipient Nostalgia Craze, even if overall their shows were decidedly modern.

Episode 23: "Everything Old Is New Again": The Modern Era of Broadway, Part 2.

In the last episode I outlined how a new wave of brash young songwriters swept aside the Golden Age and ushered in Broadway’s Modern Era with shows such as Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and Two Gentleman of Verona.

Episode 22: "Let The Sun Shine In" -- The Modern Era Of Broadway, Part 1

Although nobody knew it at the time, in April of 1968 “The Golden Age of Broadway” came to an abrupt end on the opening night of the “tribal rock musical” HAIR, which took America by storm and created a shocking jump cut into what I call “The Modern Era" of the Broadway Musical.

Episode 21: Jerry Herman & The Golden Age of Broadway, part 3.

As the 1950’s came to a close, Broadway Musicals were at the very center of American culture. Then in 1960, as if on cue, two immensely popular shows – The Fantasticks, and Bye, Bye Birdie – kick off the decade by foreshadowing several major changes in American culture that will dramatically affect the Broadway Musical, and by the end of the decade, leave its very future in doubt.

Episode 20: GYPSY vs. THE SOUND OF MUSIC & The Golden Age Of Broadway

The 1950s were crowned by four legendary musicals that went head to head for the “Best Musical” prize at the TONY Awards. In the last episode we looked at the 1958 contest of West Side Story vs. The Music Man,. In this episode I focus on the 1959–1960 which brought us Gypsy vs.

Episode 19: West Side Story vs. The Music Man & The Golden Age of Broadway

Every Broadway theater season during the 1950’s gave us at least one great, classic Golden Age musical – and a number of seasons produced several. The decade was crowned by four legendary musicals that went head to head for the “Best Musical” prize at the TONY Awards.

Episode 18: Patricia Zipprodt & The Women That Invented Broadway

This is the second part of my discussion with Tony Award winning Costume Designer Ann Hould-Ward in which we trace the legacy chain of Broadway costume design expertise that was handed down directly over a 100 year period from Aileen Bernstein to Irene Sharriff to Patricia Zipprott to Ann Hould-Ward, herself.

Episode 17: Irene Sharaff And The Women That Invented Broadway

Irene Sharraff is the legendary Broadway costume designer whose incredible 56 year career spanned from 1933 to 1989. She designed the costumes for more than 52 Broadway musicals including As Thousands Cheer, Jubilee, On Your Toes, The Boys From Syracuse, Lady In The Dark, The King And I, West Side Story, Flower Drum Song, Funny Girl, Sweet Charity, and Jerome Robbins Broadway.

Episode 16: Jule Styne, Frank Loesser & The Golden Age of Broadway, Part 2

The Golden Age of Broadway’s new revolutionary way of writing musicals did not just apply to musical plays like those of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lerner & Loewe – it also transformed the Musical Comedy.

Episode 15: Trude Rittman & The Women That Invented Broadway

You may not know the name, Trude Rittman, but you have certainly heard her music. During the "Golden Age of Broadway" (and beyond) she composed music for 33 Broadway musicals including Carousel, Brigadoon, South Pacific, Fininan’s Rainbow, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, and Camelot.

Episode 14: Lerner & Loewe and the "Golden Age of Broadway", Part 1

Over the last few episodes we explored how Oklahoma! and Carousel created a groundbreaking disruption that changed the Broadway Musical forever, and ushered in the “Golden Age of Broadway” -- which in my estimation began on the opening night of Carousel and extended through the 1960’s.

Episode 13: How "The Bench Scene" Changed Broadway

Stephen Sondheim considers "The Bench Scene" in Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL to be “the singular most important moment in the evolution of contemporary musicals.” In this episode the amazing Albert Evans takes us inside the music with a fascinating, in-depth look at this landmark musical sequence, and explains how and why it was such a crucial and important development in the invention of the Broadway Musical.

Episode 12: The Harbach, Hammerstein, Sondheim, Miranda Connection, Part 2

In this episode Albert Evans and I continue our exploration of the amazing "legacy chain" during which the art and craft of writing Broadway Musicals was handed down directly from Otto Harbach to Oscar Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manwell Miranda.

Episode 11: The Harbach, Hammerstein, Sondheim, Miranda Connection, Part 1.

The art and a craft of creating Broadway Musicals has been passed down directly from one artist to the next, generation to generation, for more than 125 years.

Episode 10: Dietz & Schwartz And The Silver Age of Broadway, Part 2

During the 1930s Broadway was severely impacted by the economic disaster of the "Great Depression". However, somehow out of all that hardship and struggle came an extraordinary period of artistic achievement and spectacular continuing development for the Broadway Musical.

Episode 9: George Gershwin & "The Silver Age" of Broadway!

Most historians have labeled the entire period from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, “The Golden Age of Broadway”, but I find it much more useful to call the era that spans from the end of WWI to the opening of Carousel in 1945, “The Silver Age of Broadway”.

Episode 8: Agnes DeMille & The Women That Invented Broadway

Women have played a much more significant role in the history of the Broadway Musical than they are generally given credit for.

Episode 7: Dorothy Fields & The Women That Invented Broadway

Women have had a much more significant impact on the Broadway Musical than has generally been reported or acknowledged. In fact, talented, dynamic women have been a major force in the creation and development of the American musical theater from the very beginning and right up to today.

Episode 6: Lorenz Hart & The Queers That Invented Broadway!

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.

Episode 5: Cole Porter & The Queers That Invented Broadway

From its earliest days, the Broadway Musical has to a very large degree, been a Queer creation. In this episode David Armstrong shares the fascinating stories of early queer producing and life partners Charles Frohman and Charles Dillingham; the first great gay director Hassard Short; drag superstars Julian Eltinge & Bert Savoy; the "Pansy Craze"; and the delightful, delicious and delovely Cole Porter!

Episode 4: Eubie Blake & The African-Americans That Invented Broadway

The 1920's brought the second great era of musicals that were written by, staged by, and starring African-American theater artists to Broadway.

Episode 3 - Bob Cole & The African-Americans That Invented Broadway

African-American theater artists played a much larger role in the creation of the Broadway Musical than is generally acknowledged -- including an entire decade of nearly forgotten hit shows and songs!

Episode 2 - Irving Berlin & The Immigrants That Invented Broadway

In this episode David Armstrong and special quest Albert Evans continue the amazing story of how Jewish, Irish and other immigrants invented the Broadway Musical -- including the immortal contributions of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, McCarthy & Tierney, Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice,, and Florenz Ziegfeld.

Episode 1 - George M. Cohan & The Immigrants That Invented Broadway

In this episode, host David Armstrong, along with special guest, Albert Evans, begin to tell the amazing story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African-Americans invented America's signature art form -- the Broadway Musical.