Scene to Song

Scene to Song Episode 12: "Musical Worlds" in Musical Theater, Featuring Frank Loesser

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.

Scene to Song Episode 11: Rock Operas in Musical Theater

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.

Scene to Song Episode 10: Plot Twists in Musical Theater

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.

 

 

Scene to Song Episode 9: The Female Gaze in Musical Theater

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.

Scene to Song Episode 8: Meredith Willson's The Music Man

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.

Scene to Song Episode 7: The Opera Libretto vs. the Book in Musical Theater

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.

Scene to Song Episode 6: Outsider Characters in Musical Theater

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.

Scene to Song Episode 5: Adaptations in Musical Theater

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.

Scene to Song Episode 4: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Musical Theater

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.

 

 

Scene to Song Episode 3: The Musical Venice

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.