Join the audience at the Museum of the City of New York as Joseph guides them on a tour of How Stephen Sondheim Gamified New York City. The talk explores the unique ways Sondheim incorporated the city into his games and puzzles. Through various anecdotes and historical references, Joseph highlights Sondheim's creative process, from his early board games to intricate treasure hunts and escape rooms. The presentation is enriched with clips from Sondheim's musicals, showcasing how his playful lens extended beyond the stage and into the real-world geography and culture of New York City. The episode emphasizes Sondheim's dual passion for theater and games, inviting the audience to experience New York City anew as an interactive playground.

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00:00 Introduction and Presentation Setup

02:26 Welcome to the Museum of the City of New York

03:15 Barry Joseph's Introduction

04:14 Sondheim's New York City Musicals

09:11 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts

12:29 Sondheim's Board Game for Hal Prince

15:32 A Little Night Music Treasure Hunt

17:26 Sondheim's Escape Room Experience

23:24 Sondheim's Cryptic Puzzles

27:57 Jurassic Treasure Hunt at the Museum of Natural History

29:11 Stephen Sondheim's Treasure Hunt Adventure

29:40 Exploring Iconic New York Locations

30:17 Challenges and Decisions in the Library

31:01 Natural History Museum: The Perfect Venue

31:27 Designing the Dinosaur Hall Puzzle

34:29 The Star-Studded Event

35:39 The Murder Game: A Meta-Puzzle

38:05 Sondheim's Puzzle Legacy

41:36 Q&A: Uncovering Sondheim's Hidden Treasures

Special Links:

Colm Molloy

Ann Morrison

Mateo Chavez Lewis

Museum of the City of New York

Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Ann Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Nick Martinez and the whole crew at MCNY.

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