Episodes

  • Episode 184: SONDHEIM GIVES US MORE TO SEE — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 4.

    Episode 184: SONDHEIM GIVES US MORE TO SEE — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 4.
    Sep 4 2025
    My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most brilliant works, Sunday In the Park with George and Into the Woods. If you missed the first three episodes in this series, you may want to catch up with them before listening to this one. Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • Episode 183: SONDHEIM MAKES HISTORY, a conversation with author Richard Schoch, part 3

    Episode 183: SONDHEIM MAKES HISTORY, a conversation with author Richard Schoch, part 3
    Aug 23 2025
    My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. In the first two episodes of this series, Richard took us deep inside the inner workings and underlying meanings of Gypsy, Company, Follies, and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them. This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most challenging and brilliant works, Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd —The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with that before embarking on this one. Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • PodSwap! DAVID ARMSTRONG on THE WRONG CAT DIED podcast.

    PodSwap! DAVID ARMSTRONG on THE WRONG CAT DIED podcast.
    Aug 19 2025
    “Some people might say CATS is a ripoff of A Chorus Line. I don’t want to go that far but it’s remarkably similar. I think it’s sort of a doppelganger of A Chorus Line.” In this episode, host Mike Abrams welcomes David Armstrong, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network host and author of the newly published book Broadway Nation.'They delve into the rich history of Broadway musicals, highlighting the significant influences and connections, including how the iconic musical CATS ties into this history. Armstrong shares fascinating insights about the evolution of Broadway from his podcast and University of Washington course, the criteria behind the Jellicle choice, and how reality shows like 'Queen for a Day' may have influenced Broadway storytelling. 00:53 David’s Broadway Journey 01:22 The Evolution from Podcast to Book 07:26 The Impact of A Chorus Line on CATS 08:17 The British Theater Transformation 12:16 The Reality Show Parallel 27:54 Assigning CATS to Students 28:39 Discussing the 2019 Movie 35:17 The Jellicle Choice Debate Check out Broadway Nation on Instagram: @davidatbroadwaynation Check out the Broadway Nation Podcast Check out the Broadway Nation Book Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Episode 182: In Search of Lost Broadway: RIO RITA

    Episode 182: In Search of Lost Broadway: RIO RITA
    Aug 14 2025
    Never fear! Richard Schoch will return soon for the third and fourth segments of our conversation regarding his recent book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life. In the meantime, I am excited to share with you the first of what I anticipate will become an occasional new series, which I am calling IN SEARCH OF LOST BROADWAY. And in this episode, my guest ALBERT EVANS and I will try to rediscover the hit 1927 musical RIO RITA. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional, in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And if you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation, there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please click on this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 181: SONDHEIM'S "MOMENTS OF TRUTH" — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 2.

    Episode 181: SONDHEIM'S "MOMENTS OF TRUTH" — A Conversation with RICHARD SCHOCH, part 2.
    Aug 7 2025
    My guest again this week is Richard Schoch, author of the much-acclaimed book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life. Last week, Richard took us deep inside the inner workings of both Gypsy and Company. In this episode, through his insightful analysis of the musicals Follies and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them, Schoch illuminates Sondheim’s incredible genius for plumbing the depths of human experience. If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with it before embarking on this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Bonus Episode: The BROADWAY NATION BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION!

    Bonus Episode: The BROADWAY NATION BOOK LAUNCH CELEBRATION!
    Aug 5 2025
    Join author David Armstrong for a lively conversation hosted by Alan Seales of The Theatre Podcast celebrating the release of Armstrong's new book, Broadway Nation—How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical. With co-host Michelle Simone Miller host of the podcast Mentors On the Mic. At this virtual book launch party you will have the opportunity to meet David Armstrong and hear the inside story of the creation of his first book. You will also have a chance to participate in an exclusive Q&A; and compete with other Broadway fans in a MUSICAL THEATER TRVIA CONTEST to win your own copy of Broadway Nation! Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical is a comprehensive history of America’s signature art form, the Broadway musical, with a unique emphasis on the powerful (but often overlooked) impact that marginalized groups have had on its evolution. Inspired by the popular large lecture course that author David Armstrong teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama, as well as his Broadway Nation podcast, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon. ⁠ Order the book here: ⁠https://amzn.to/3TuoUcl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Episode 180: "BETTER LIVING THROUGH SONDHEIM" with author RICHARD SCHOCH

    Episode 180: "BETTER LIVING THROUGH SONDHEIM" with author RICHARD SCHOCH
    Jul 31 2025
    After a brief summer break, I am thrilled to be back with an all-new episode of Broadway Nation! My guest this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the recent and much-acclaimed book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Just when you thought there might be nothing left to say about the musicals of Stephen Sondheim, Schoch's engaging book opens up a new treasure trove of fascinating analysis and insight. Richard Schoch, is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, and is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional, in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • An Update on Broadway Nation!

    An Update on Broadway Nation!
    Jul 18 2025
     A quick update on what's going on with Broadway Nation podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins