Broadway History Episodes

April 29, 2025

The Other Gershwin, part 2, with author Michael Owen

This is the second episode of my three-part conversation with author, historian, researcher, and archivist, Michael Owen, whose recent book, Ira Gershwin — A Life in Words, is the first full-length biography devoted to that outstanding artist who penned the words for many of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. If you missed part one, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one. Michael Owen is also the author of Go Slow — The Life of Jule London and the editor of Th...
Guest: Michael Owen
April 22, 2025

Episode 173: THE OTHER GERSHWIN — with MICHAEL OWEN, author of IRA GERSHWIN — A LIFE IN WORDS

My guest today is Michael Owen, whose recent book Ira Gershwin—A Life in Words is the first full-length biography devoted to the other Gershwin. In this book, Owen at last brings Ira Gershwin out from behind the long shadow cast by his younger and more famous brother, George. Drawing on extensive archival research, Owen often uses Ira’s own words to create a captivating portrait of a shy and retiring artist who, nevertheless, penned the words for many of the greatest songs of the twentieth...
Guest: Michael Owen
April 20, 2025

Encore Episode: Razzle Dazzle: A Brief History of Lighting Design, part 2.

This is the second half of this week's Encore presentation of my conversation with Tony-award-winning lighting designer Ken Billington. Last week, Ken received rave reviews for his lighting design of the new Broadway musical SMASH, which amazingly is his 108th Broadway production. So, I thought it was an ideal time to revisit this fascinating conversation about the history of lighting design on Broadway and Ken’s own tremendous contribution to it. If you missed part one you may want to cat...
March 6, 2025

Episode 169: If They Asked Me I Could Write A Book

On this episode, I have a big announcement, so I asked my buddy, friend, colleague, and Broadway Nation’s favorite co-host and guest host, ALBERT EVANS, to join me today to turn the tables on me and ask me the questions rather than me being the interviewer. As you may have guessed from the episode title, the announcement is that I have a book coming out called BROADWAY NATION (sound familiar?) and the subtitle will be similar to what you've heard before as well: HOW IMMIGRANT JEWISH, QUEER...
Guest: Albert Evans
151
Oct. 3, 2024

Episode 151: More Songs Of The Season

with author Thomas Hischak
March 27, 2024

Encore Episode: Patricia Zipprodt and the Women Who Invented Broadway

The second part of my discussion with Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Ann Hould-Ward.
136
March 14, 2024

Episode 136: THE MUSICALS THAT NEVER CAME TO BROADWAY

With special guest Robert W. Schneider host of the new podcast BROADWAY BOUND