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Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast

Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast

By: Barry Joseph & Broadway Podcast Network
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About this listen

 Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast in an open invitation into the puzzle-loving, game-designing mind of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Based on the acclaimed book by Barry Joseph, each episode uncovers the hidden world of Sondheim’s lifelong passion for treasure hunts, cryptic crosswords, parlor games, and more. Join Barry and his guests—puzzle-makers, game designers, and Sondheim aficionados—as they explore how Sondheim's playful designs delivered moments of clarity and connection for friends, colleagues, and anyone who's ever been captivated by his genius. Whether you’re a musical theater fan, a puzzlehead, or just Sondheim-curious, this series invites you to match minds with Sondheim. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, or click here.Barry Joseph & Broadway Podcast Network Art Entertainment & Performing Arts World
Episodes
  • #23-Matching Minds at BroadwayCon with Many Guests

    #23-Matching Minds at BroadwayCon with Many Guests
    Feb 12 2026
    Come with Matching Minds to BroadwayCon in New York City during a frigid snowstorm! This episode features special guests and Broadway stars Etai Benson, George Lee Andrews, and Marty Morris, sharing their connections with Sondheim's puzzles and games. Etai recounts receiving a custom, personalized jigsaw puzzle from Sondheim for his role in Company. George and Marty take us back 53 years to share memories of the Sondheim/Perkin’s Shubert Theater treasure hunt for the cast of A Little Night Music. The audience participates in live trivia rounds (play along from home) and a reenactment of Sondheim's famous Murder Game. And suffer through our attempt at a podcast theme-song sign-a-long… Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to Matching Minds with Sondheim 00:05 Experiencing BroadwayCon in New York City 00:28 Diverse Activities at BroadwayCon 01:00 Sondheim's Puzzles and Games 01:28 Special Guests: Broadway Performers 02:41 Sondheim's Multifaceted Career 03:03 Sondheim's Influence and Legacy 04:16 Interactive Trivia and Games 05:41 Exploring Sondheim's Puzzles 09:47 Special Guests: George Lee Andrews and Marty Morris 17:26 A Visit to Steve Sondheim's House 18:05 Round Three: Word Puzzles 19:25 Round Four: Mechanical Puzzles 19:57 Special Guests: Etai Benson 25:46 Round Five: Parlor Games 26:34 The Murder Game 30:44 Conclusion: Matching Minds with Sondheim Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Etai Benson George Lee Andrews Marti Morris BroadwayCon Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • #22-Stephen Sondheim and Cryptic Crosswords

    #22-Stephen Sondheim and Cryptic Crosswords
    Jan 30 2026
    Today’s topic: Stephen Sondheim’s passion for cryptic crosswords. Joined by guests Natan Last, Katie Grogg, Ben Zimmer, and Galen Fott, the conversation explores Sondheim's 1968 stint as the puzzle editor for New York Magazine, his influence on the American cryptic crossword scene, and the connections between his musical works and love for puzzles. Through reflections on prior interviews with Richard Maltby, Jr., Will Shortz, Colm Molloy, and, yes, Sondheim himself, the episode highlights Sondheim’s legacy in both theater and the world of wordplay. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic 01:51 Meet the Guests: Crossword Enthusiasts and Experts 05:28 Discussing the New York Times Crossword Puzzle 07:51 Defining Cryptic Crosswords 10:30 Stephen Sondheim's Influence on Cryptic Crosswords 14:57 The British Cryptic Crossword Scene 22:29 Sondheim's Connection with British Crossword Constructors 32:39 Sondheim's Cryptic Crossword Journey Begins 33:33 American vs. British Crosswords: A Cultural Clash 34:41 Sondheim's Essay and Its Impact 35:44 Criticism and Parody in New York Magazine 41:34 Richard Maltby Jr. Takes Over 48:56 Sondheim's Cryptic Crossword Legacy 56:17 Modern Cryptic Crosswords and Sondheim's Influence 01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Reflections Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis “This Time It’s Crosswords (Not Cross Words) That Surface From Sondheim” New York Times, 2011. Galen Fott’s Blog Natan Last Ben Zimmer Katie Grogg Minute Cryptic Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • #21-10 Playful Songs of Sondheim

    #21-10 Playful Songs of Sondheim
    Jan 13 2026
    Name ten tracks by Sondheim that highlight his love of games and puzzles. That was the challenge posed to me by Donald Feltham, who invited me back to his streaming Broadway Radio Show. We discussed songs like “10 Years Old,” an unproduced gem from the 1960s, “When?” from the TV musical Evening Primrose, “Poems” from Pacific Overtures, and “No More” from “Into the Woods.” We explore Sondheim's attempts to incorporate puzzle elements in his work, including an educational CD-ROM for Into the Woods, and highlights his personal life through the backdrop of his love for parlor games. The closing track, “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George, underscores the intersection of Sondheim's musical genius and his passion for intricate puzzles. Come join our rollcking conversation. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 00:33 Special Episode Announcement 02:30 Opening with Donald Feltham 03:24 Exploring Sondheim's Unproduced Song 06:36 Evening Primrose: A Hidden Gem 09:24 Pacific Overtures: Cultural Exchange 11:42 Book Promotion and Feedback 15:35 Into the Woods: Musical Puzzles 20:22 Road Show: Life as a Game 22:15 Putting It Together: Parody and Games 28:07 Finishing the Hat: The Creative Process 30:54 Conclusion and Future Plans Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Sondheim's 2002 Into the Wood opening night jigsaw puzzle Hear all the Sondheim songs at The Broadway Radio Show Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
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