In this episode, we dive into one of the most groundbreaking musicals in Broadway history: Company. More than half a century ago, in 1970, Company burst onto the scene and forever changed the landscape of musical theatre. With both music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, already renowned for his work on West Side Story and Gypsy, this show marked his first collaboration with legendary director Hal Prince. Company introduced audiences to Robert, a perpetually single man navigating love, commitment, and connection through a series of vignettes rather than a traditional linear plot.

This “concept musical” broke new ground, blending sharp social commentary with an unforgettable score that includes songs like “Being Alive,” “Getting Married Today,” and “The Ladies Who Lunch.” It earned 14 Tony nominations and won six, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, cementing Sondheim’s place as a musical theatre titan.

From its original 705-performance run to its acclaimed revivals in 1995, 2006, 2018, and 2021, Company remains as vital, funny, and thought-provoking as ever.

Check out our Company playlist on our YouTube channel, and join us over on our Facebook and Instagram pages to tell us what you think!

In this episode, we step into the world of faded glamour, haunting melodies, and Hollywood dreams that refuse to die. Sunset Boulevard, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lush and dramatic musical, brings Billy Wilder’s iconic film to life on stage, telling the story of Norma Desmond, the once-great silent film star who longs for a triumphant return to fame.

We’ll explore everything that makes Sunset Boulevard a musical masterpiece—from its soaring score and unforgettable performances to its behind-the-scenes drama and cultural impact. You’ll find out why Patti Lupone (allegedly) tore her dressing room apart, named her pool the “Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial,” and what ignited one of the biggest feuds in Broadway history! Join us as we delve into the show’s origins, its many legendary Normas, and how it continues to captivate audiences decades after its premiere.

So…are you ready for your close-up on Sunset Boulevard?

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It's no surprise that with the recent release of the movie version of Wicked, we here at Settling Scores have chosen to compare and contrast it with the original Broadway cast album we all know and love. However, you may be surprised to hear how much the guys disagree on everything from lyrics to casting to character arcs!

Also in this episode, Forrest and Stephanie act out two *thrilling* scenes, Lenny discusses "polishing a turd," and we engage in a friendly debate over the 2004 Tony Awards, which resulted in some seriously eyebrow-raising wins and snubs.

So join us for a few hours as we discuss one of the most successful Broadway productions - and now films - of all time: Wicked!

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Join us down on Skid Row with our latest episode - "Somewhere That's Mean: Settling Scores Feasts on Little Shop of Horrors." Categorizing LSOH (with music by Alan Menken and lyrics/book by Howard Ashman) is a bit tricky. Here’s our best effort: it’s a genre-crossing cult classic chamber musical with elements of dark comedy, horror (obviously), and sci-fi with a ton of catchy Motown-inspired earworms and a giant puppet. Phew.

The cast and creative team of the original production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” In the front at center are Howard Ashman, left, wearing plaid, and Alan Menken, lying on the floor.

Howard Ashman directing Ellen Greene, who played Audrey. “He just loved me, and when a director just adores your creativity, your creativity blooms,” she said.

Once Upon A Time…

In this episode of Settling Scores, Lenny, Forrest, and Stephanie discuss Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s fractured fairytale mashup, Into the Woods. Classic stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk are all featured in this surprisingly dark and twisty musical, with a bodycount rivaled only by Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.

Is this his funniest score? Can any of the new cast albums stand up to the original? Do community theaters program the show too often?

Join us as we wade into the weeds to debate these topics and more, in our episode covering Into the Woods.

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Sondheim, Peters, and Lapine

Danielle Ferland, original Little Red

Phylicia Rashad as the Witch

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 2010

Into the Woods 2014 Film Cast with Sondheim

Sara Bareilles and Neil Patrick Harris in the Encores! production of “Into the Woods” at New York City Center, 2022

 "Join us, leave your fields to flower

In this episode of Settling Scores, we discuss the not-so-simple joys, the seriously strange (...left-handed fleas and balding griffins, anyone??), and the existential angst of Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson’s medieval musical, Pippin. Along the way, Forrest coins the word, “orgy-ness,” we stand in awe of the Marvelous Mrs. Patina Miller, and revel in the classic “Bob Fosse-ness” of the original 1972 production, directed by Fosse himself, who left future productions with some very large stylistic shoes to fill. Cue the ever-inventive Diane Paulus, whose 2013 Broadway revival of Pippin brought a fresh, circus-inspired approach to the show, which earned widespread acclaim and several Tony Awards. 

Which cast recording did Lenny and Forrest choose for their Desert Island Disc dilemma? Does Music Man or Pippin get the “Glory” in our Battle Royale? You’ll have to journey with us “through our anecdotic revue” to find out.

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Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussions of sexuality, depression, and suicide. Please take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Listeners in the US can reach a 24/7, toll-free crisis hotline by dialing or texting 988.

"The Music Man" by Meredith Willson is a classic, big-hearted American musical that premiered on Broadway in 1957 and went on to win five Tony awards. We invite you to fritter away some time with us while we discuss the love (Forrest) and hate (Lenny) relationship we here at Settling Scores have with this show, which features several standards of the musical theatre canon such as Seventy-Six Trombones, Trouble, 'Til There Was You, Pickalittle and Gary, Indiana.  Along the way, we’ll explore several instances of subtle racism in the original score, discuss some fabulous and not-so-fabulous performances (…ahem, looking at you, 2022 revival cast), listen to a cover by none other than the fabulous Ms. Patti LuPone, and of course we’ll “talk, talk, talk, talk, and bicker, bicker, bicker” all the while. “Yessssir, yessssir!”

Synopsis: Charming con-man-with-a-heart-of-gold Harold Hill arrives in the small town of River City, Iowa, posing as a boys’ band organizer. He sweet talks the townspeople into investing in instruments and uniforms for the band he claims he will lead, despite having no musical ability. Along the way, Hill meets and falls for Marian Paroo, the straight-laced town librarian and music teacher, who sees through his scheme, but finds herself falling for him nonetheless. As Hill's deception unravels, he must decide whether to flee or face the consequences, ultimately discovering a deeper connection to the town - and to Marian - than he anticipated. This spirited and infectious musical explores themes of love, trust, and the transformative power of music in a nostalgic portrayal of early 20th-century America. Bona fide happy ending, guaranteed.

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Forrest and Lenny continue their discussion of the Tony Awards, this time focusing on Best Actress in a Musical award winners of the last twenty-three years. Using the power of math, Stephanie averages their picks and reveals our very own Settling Scores Diva Rankings™️, from worst to first. 

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In honor of Tony Award season, Lenny and Forrest debate the winners and losers of the Best Musical Tony grouped by decade with their usual friendly bickering and bantering...plus a surprising amount of agreement! We also explain Forrest's severe case of BAS - Bitter Award Syndrome.

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Join us for a dark and twisty tale of a dish best served very cold. The book is based on Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play, “The Visit of the Old Lady,” and the plot revolves around Claire Zachanassian (It just rolls off the tongue…), a widowed gazillionaire returning to her impoverished hometown to seek revenge on a man named Anton Schell who impregnated and abandoned her as a teen. Claire offers the town and each of its inhabitants a substantial sum of money in exchange for Schell's death. Deliciously complex moral and ethical dilemmas are explored and some beautiful, unsettling music is made, leading to a haunting conclusion. Give it a listen and let us know if you agree with Lenny and Stephanie, who loved it, or Forrest, who...didn't.

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