Scene to Song

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.

Scene to Song Episode 2: Nontraditional/Colorblind Casting in Musical Theater

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

Scene to Song Episode 1: Comedy in Musical Theater

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

Introducing Scene to Song

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.