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...
Guest: Ken Billington
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
157
Feb. 6, 2025
Episode 165: HELEN MORGAN — THE ORIGINAL TORCH SINGER & ZIEGFELD'S LAST STAR
With author Christopher T. Connelly
166
Jan. 16, 2025
Episode 163: George M. Cohan —The Man Who Owned Broadway, Part 2
With author ELIZABETH T. CFRAFT
160
Dec. 12, 2024
Episode 160: Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory
with author Douglas L. Reside
159
Dec. 5, 2024
Episode 159: Dance In Musical Theatre — A History of the Body in Movement
With Dustyn Martincich & Phoebe Rumsey
Nov. 28, 2024
Encore Episode: Transgressive Women —Major Themes of the Broadway Musical, part 1
"Goodbye to Blueberry Pie"
150
Sept. 26, 2024
Episode 150: Song of The Season — Outstanding Broadway Songs Since 1891, part 1
with author Thomas Hischak
145
June 20, 2024
Episode 145: "Still Goin' Strong" — 60 Years of HELLO DOLLY!
With special guest Richard Skipper
May 20, 2024
Encore Episode: Everything Sondheim: Inside The Creation of the Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia
With author RICK PENDER
139
April 29, 2024
Episode 139: Birth Of An Art Form — Evolution of the American Musical, part 2.
With BEN WEST author of The American Musical
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