Name ten tracks by Sondheim that highlight his love of games and puzzles. That was the challenge posed to me by Donald Feltham, who invited me back to his streaming Broadway Radio Show. We discussed songs like “10 Years Old,” an unproduced gem from the 1960s, “When?” from the TV musical Evening Primrose, “Poems” from Pacific Overtures, and “No More” from “Into the Woods.” We explore Sondheim's attempts to incorporate puzzle elements in his work, including an educational CD-ROM for Into the Woods, and highlights his personal life through the backdrop of his love for parlor games. The closing track, “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George, underscores the intersection of Sondheim's musical genius and his passion for intricate puzzles. Come join our rollcking conversation. 

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00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings

00:33 Special Episode Announcement

02:30 Opening with Donald Feltham

03:24 Exploring Sondheim's Unproduced Song

06:36 Evening Primrose: A Hidden Gem

09:24 Pacific Overtures: Cultural Exchange

11:42 Book Promotion and Feedback

15:35 Into the Woods: Musical Puzzles

20:22 Road Show: Life as a Game

22:15 Putting It Together: Parody and Games

28:07 Finishing the Hat: The Creative Process

30:54 Conclusion and Future Plans

Special Links:

Colm Molloy

Ann Morrison

Mateo Chavez Lewis

Sondheim's 2002 Into the Wood opening night jigsaw puzzle

Hear all the Sondheim songs at The Broadway Radio Show

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 Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo.

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