In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years, 13) joins Jonah for a raw and thought-provoking conversation about what it means to be Jewish in American theater today. From the complexities of Jewish pride and representation to the discomfort he feels being labeled “America’s greatest Jewish composer,” Jason opens up like never before.

The two dive into Jason’s legendary career, exploring the cultural impact of his shows and how Jewish themes have shaped and challenged his work. Jason shares intimate reflections on his relationships with Broadway icons Hal Prince and Alfred Uhry, the artistic tension between creative integrity and commercial success, and how he’s always felt like an outsider, even within the institutions and communities where he “should” feel at home.

If you care about Broadway, authentic storytelling, identity, or what it means to stay rooted as an artist in turbulent times, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Watch this episode on YouTube: @BeingJewishOfficial - https://youtu.be/x74YTgGNc_c

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Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editor: Patrick Edwards); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Sharaka: A Partnership for Moderate Arabs Seeking Dialogue with Jews & Israelis 
• Understanding the Abraham Accords 
• See Jonah Platt at Chai Tech in NYC 
• Hear Jonah Platt at Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL
• Hear Jonah at UJA’s Westchester Celebration 2015
• The Last Five Years on Broadway
• Shiksa Goddess (From The Last Five Years) Performed by Jeremy Jordan
• The Shmuel Song (From The Last Five Years) Performed by Jonathan Bailey
• The Story of Leo Frank - the Inspiration Behind Parade
• National Tour of Parade
• Who is Broadway Producer Hal Prince?
• Who is Writer Alfred Uhry?
• Who is Choreographer Rob Ashford?
• Donmar Warehouse Production of Parade
• Who is Performer & Director Michael Arden?
• Parade at City Center
• Jason Robert Brown Developing Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil for Broadway
• Bridges of Madison County Musical
• The Last Five Years Film
• 13! The Musical Movie
• Who is Musical Director Andrew Resnick?
• Watch Spread on Tubi
• Honeymoon in Vegas 
• Chanukah Suite by Jason Robert Brown
• Maneschewitz Merengue by Jason Robert Brown 
• Yiddish Theater in NYC
• Stuart Weitzman on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
• Who is Broadway’s Daisy Prince?
• 88 Keys Piano Bar 
• Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown
• Jackie Tohn on Being Jewish with Jonah Platt