Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are two of the greatest entertainers in New York City history. They have delighted millions of people with their unique and influential take on the Broadway musical — serious, sincere, graceful and poignant. In the process they have helped in elevating New York’s Theater District into a critical destination for American culture.

In this episode, we tell the story of this remarkable duo — from their early years with other creators (Hammerstein with Jerome Kern, Rodgers with Lorenz Hart) to a run-down of all their shows. And almost all of it — from the plains of Oklahoma to the exotic climates of South Pacific — takes place on just two city blocks in Midtown Manhattan!

PLUS: What classic music venue still bears the name of Oscar Hammerstein’s grandfather?

How did the ritzy Plaza Hotel celebrate the fifth anniversary of Oklahoma’s debut?

How is Richard Rodgers associated with Hamilton the Musical?

And what was the final song written by Rodgers and Hammerstein?

In honor of the new Richard Linklater film Blue Moon about Richard Rodgers' first songwriting partner Lorenz Hart AND in honor of a new set of Broadway musicals opening in November, we're reissuing this 2017 show in a newly re-edited, remastered edition.

Visit the website for more images of the shows discussed on this show

All music by Rodgers and Hammerstein can be found on releases from Sony Masterworks

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