Scene to Song

In this episode, educators Courtney Ferrell and Shaun Leisher discuss directing middle school and high school students in musical theater. We also talk about the songs "Blackout" from Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and "Motherhood March" from Hello, Dolly!

In this episode, writer, actor, and singer Erica Slutsky discusses the films of Todd Graff (Camp, Bandslam, and Joyful Noise) and how they work as musical theater. We also talk about the Jason Robert Brown song "Someone to Fall Back On" and how it's used in the film Bandslam.

In this episode, writer Jessica Fleitman discusses the musical My Fair Lady--its inherent sexism, the new ending in the most recent Broadway revival, and what the musical might look like from a female perspective. We also talk about the song "Without You" from My Fair Lady.

In this episode, writer David Brush and composer Rachel Dean discuss portraying mental illness in musical theater, the shows that do it well and what musical theater can bring to the dialogue and to those affected. We also talk about the song "I Miss the Mountains" from the 2009 musical Next to Normal. 

In this episode, two of this season's guests--Christie Baugher and Brandon Michael Lowden--return to discuss listener-submitted questions and comments. We also talk about songs from two Christmas musicals that no one thinks of as Christmas musicals: "Twelve Days to Christmas" from She Loves Me and "A New Deal for Christmas" from Annie.

In this episode, writer John Verderber discusses musical worlds, conjuring different places through music, in musical theater, with a focus on the composer/lyricist Frank Loesser. We also talk about Meredith Wilson's song "My White Knight" from his 1957 musical The Music Man.

In this episode, composer Landon Braverman discusses rock operas in musical theater, including deep dives into the scores of Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. We also talk about Michael Friedman's songs "I'm Not That Guy" and "I'm So That Guy" from his 2010 musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

In this episode, playwright, composer, and lyricist Daniel Levin discusses plot twists in musical theater. We also talk about Jason Robert Brown's song "Still Hurting" from his 2002 musical The Last Five Years.

In this episode, musical theater writer Christie Baugher discusses the female gaze in musical theater, from Oklahoma to Fun Home. We also talk about Micki Grant's song "Cleanin' Women" from the 1978 musical Working.

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.