Scene to Song

Scene to Song Episode 22: Representations of Judaism in Musical Theater

In this episode, nurse and musician BethAnn Freed Cohen discusses representations of Judaism in musical theater. We also talk about the song "Alone, and yet Alive" from The Mikado.

Scene to Song Episode 21: Genre and Tropes in David Yazbek's Score for The Band's Visit

In this episode, producer and writer Sean Williams discusses David Yazbek's use of genre and tropes in his score to The Band's Visit. We also talk about the song "Answer Me" from The Band's Visit.

 

 

Scene to Song Episode 20: Orchestrations and Creating a Sound World in Musical Theater

In this episode, composer, lyricist, writer, and orchestrator James Ballard discusses orchestrations and creating a sound world of a musical. We also talk about the song "Dust and Ashes"from the recent Dave Malloy musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

Scene to Song Episode 19: Political Musicals

In this episode, writer John Verderber discusses political musicals and the difference between those that are dated and those that last. We also talk about Stephen Sondheim's song "Someone in a Tree" from his 1976 musical Pacific Overtures. 

 

Scene to Song Episode 18: The Women of Rodgers and Hammerstein

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. 

Scene to Song Episode 17: Directing Middle School and High School Students in Musical Theater

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!

Scene to Song Episode 16: How the Films of Todd Graff (Camp, Bandslam, and Joyful Noise) Work As Musical Theater

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.

 

 

Scene to Song Episode 15: The Musical My Fair Lady

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.

Scene to Song Episode 14: Portraying Mental Illness in Musical Theater

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. 

 

Scene to Song Episode 13: Season One Finale

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.