Scene to Song

In this episode, composer, writer, and director John Grimmett discusses the opera libretto vs. the book in musical theater, including the eternal question: what makes a piece an opera and what makes a piece a musical? We also talk about the song sequence "Montage/Safe/The One I Love" from Michael John LaChiusa's 1993 musical Hello Again.

In this episode, composer, lyricist, bookwriter, and performer Joe Iconis discusses outsider characters in musical theater, from Grease to Assassins to his own show Be More Chill. We also talk about the song "Cabaret" from Kander and Ebb's 1966 musical Cabaret.

In this episode, lyricist, bookwriter, dramaturg, and literary coordinator at The York Theatre Company  Seth Christenfeld discusses adaptations in musical theater, from the history of adaptations vs. original musicals to the proliferation today of musicals based on popular movies. We also talk about the "Prologue" from the recent Dave Malloy musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

In this episode, writer Michael R. Jackson discusses equity, diversity, and inclusion in musical theater, as well as how revivals contribute to inequality in musical theater. We also talk about the song "Not Anymore" from the 1973 musical Raisin.

In this episode, writer Brandon Michael Lowden discusses the off-Broadway musical Venice and why audiences have different reactions to musicals in the theater. We also talk about the song "Last Man" from Venice.

In this episode, writer Sukari Jones discusses nontraditional/colorblind casting in musical theater. We also talk about what makes musical theater so good.

In this episode, composer Julia Meinwald discusses comedy in musical theater. We also talk about Joe Iconis's song "Jeff."

Hosted by writer Shoshana Greenberg, Scene to Song brings on a guest to talk about a musical, musical theater writers, or a topic or trend in musical theater. Theme music by Julia Meinwald.