Jim Wann, composer, lyricist, and performer of PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES talks about the Country and American Roots-influenced scores he brought to the stage. He discusses his early work Off-Broadway, including DIAMOND STUDS and HOT GROG, and explains the origins of both the Pump Boys and the Dinettes, and how they eventually made their way to Broadway. A marvelous guitarist and singer in his own right, Wann talks about how Country music is a natural translation to the stage due to its roots in sto...
Jun 30, 2025•33 min•Ep. 12
Maury Yeston, composer-lyricist of the Tony-winning musical NINE, talks about his score for the adaptation of Federico Fellini’s film, “8 1/2.” Yeston also discusses his incidental score and song for the original production of “Cloud Nine” Off- Broadway as well as some of the pop songs he has written. Recalling the Broadway production of Nine, he explains writing music for the large, predominantly female cast. The “Maury Tabernacle Choir” featuring Yeston on all the parts performs “The Germans a...
Jun 23, 2025•34 min•Ep. 11
Part two of our conversation with John Kander and Fred Ebb, songwriters for such Broadway shows as WOMAN OF THE YEAR, 70, GIRLS, 70, THE RINK, THE HAPPY TIME, and ZORBA. They talk about their writing process and share several anecdotes about working with luminaries like Hal Prince, George Abbott, Liza Minnelli, Robert Goulet and more. Kander and Ebb share their love of writing together and going back and forth with Bob Fosse to create a perfect, climactic number for Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera ...
Jun 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 10
John Kander and Fred Ebb, the writing team behind such shows as CHICAGO, CABARET, FLORA THE RED MENACE, are interviewed about their over twenty-year collaboration. They discuss how they first met, the early stages of their partnership, writing special material and how much they enjoy the time they spend writing together. They sing several of their own compositions together and share their experiences working with Hal Prince, George Abbott, Chita Rivera, Liza Minelli, Barbra Streisand, Bob Fosse,...
Jun 09, 2025•33 min•Ep. 9
Gretchen Cryer, writer of I’M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER AND TAKING IT ON THE ROAD, and Carol Hall, songwriter of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, speak about their careers on the musical theater stage. Cryer details her inspirations and choices for I’M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER… and sings several songs from the show. She also discusses her collaboration with composer Nancy Ford on the award-winning, THE LAST SWEET DAYS OF ISAAC. Hall, who performed in I’M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER…, elaborates on ...
Jun 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 8
The legendary book writer of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and THE BAKER’S WIFE, Joseph Stein, shares his writing process and his insights into what contributes to a good book of a musical. Together with Elisa Loti and Jeff Keller, Stein reads scenes from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and ZORBA, discusses the challenging task of adapting existing work into musical form, and explains the importance of establishing the main character on the Broadway stage. He also relates his experiences crafting the librettos for PL...
May 26, 2025•34 min•Ep. 7
Composer-lyricist Craig Carnelia talks IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, his contributions to WORKING under Stephen Schwartz, and an un-produced show titled, THE NEWCOMERS. Carnelia takes us through his songwriting process, including how shows evolve and songs are added even after the premiere. A talented performer in his own right, Carnelia performs several of his own songs, some of which have never been heard before, including a duet with Maureen Silliman, who was in the original cast of IS THE...
May 19, 2025•33 min•Ep. 6
Betty Comden and Adolph Green walk us through BELLS ARE RINGING, SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING, FADE OUT – FADE IN, HALLELUJAH, BABY!, ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, and A DOLL’S LIFE. They describe their experiences working with composers Cy Coleman and Jule Styne and star performers like Carol Burnett, Judy Holliday, Leslie Uggams, John Cullum and Madeline Kahn. The conclusion of a two-part retrospective on their legendary careers. Featured songs: “Bells Are Ringing,” “Just in Time,” “The Party’s Over,”...
May 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 5
Betty Comden and Adolph Green, famed musical theatre writing team discuss their careers. Authors of arguably the best film musical ever, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and countless Broadway musicals including PETER PAN, TWO ON THE AISLE, and WONDERFUL TOWN recall how their career began with THE REVUERS singing satirical songs at the Village Vanguard, and their notable collaborations with legendary composers Jule Styne, Morton Gould and Leonard Bernstein. The lyricist, book writers offer an inside look at...
May 05, 2025•34 min•Ep. 4
Twenty years before he wrote WICKED, Stephen Schwartz talks about GODSPELL, PIPPIN and other early shows. The composer-lyricist explains how he got his start on Broadway with the title song for BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, and even sits down at the piano to perform some of his most personal songs. Hear about Schwartz’s process as he composed the scores to THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, and the musical he conceived based on Studs Terkel’s book, WORKING. Featured songs: “Magic To Do,” “Butterflies Are...
Apr 28, 2025•33 min•Ep. 3
The conclusion of a three-part program paying tribute to renowned composer Arthur Schwartz. Schwartz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with lyricist Howard Dietz, whom he worked with on such famous musicals as THE BAND WAGON, REVENGE WITH MUSIC, and AT HOME ABROAD. Schwartz also collaborated with Dorothy Fields on BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA and A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. The legendary composer, who died less than a week before this tribute originally aired, is celebrated with numerous record...
Apr 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 107
The second of a three-part program paying tribute to renowned composer Arthur Schwartz. Schwartz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with lyricist Howard Dietz, whom he worked with on such famous musicals as THE BAND WAGON, REVENGE WITH MUSIC, and AT HOME ABROAD. Schwartz also collaborated with Dorothy Fields on BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA and A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. The legendary composer, who died less than a week before this tribute originally aired, is celebrated with numerous recordings...
Apr 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 106
The first of a three-part program paying tribute to renowned composer Arthur Schwartz. Schwartz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with lyricist Howard Dietz, whom he worked with on such famous musicals as THE BAND WAGON, REVENGE WITH MUSIC, and AT HOME ABROAD. Schwartz also collaborated with Dorothy Fields on BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA and A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. The legendary composer, who died less than a week before this tribute originally aired, is celebrated with numerous recordings ...
Apr 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 105
The second of a two-part program celebrating the 25th anniversary of musical theatre classic, The Fantasticks, which went on to become the longest running musical in history. In 1984, associate producer Jeff Lunden and Paul Lazarus gathered a group of talented performers who had appeared at different times in the New York Production and together with musical director/pianist Jeff Saver, harpist, Winifred Starks and the creators, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, recorded what they called “The Fantas...
Mar 31, 2025•35 min•Ep. 104
The first of a two-part program celebrating the 25th anniversary of musical theatre classic, The Fantasticks, which went on to become the longest running musical in history. In 1984, associate producer Jeff Lunden and Paul Lazarus gathered a group of talented performers who had appeared at different times in the New York Production and together with musical director/pianist Jeff Saver, harpist, Winifred Starks and the creators, Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, recorded what they called “The Fantast...
Mar 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 103
The conclusion of a three-part program paying tribute to famed conductor, composer, author, and teacher Lehman Engel. Engel is best known for having conducted over 150 musicals and shows, six of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director. He is widely credited for changing the landscape of musical theater literature through the many books he wrote on the subject and founding the BMI musical theatre workshop. Engel’s career is celebrated through the playing of various...
Mar 17, 2025•33 min•Ep. 102
The second of a three-part program paying tribute to famed conductor, composer, author, and teacher Lehman Engel. Engel is best known for having conducted over 150 musicals and shows, six of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director. He is widely credited for changing the landscape of musical theater literature through the many books he wrote on the subject and founding the BMI musical theatre workshop. Engel’s career is celebrated through the playing of various int...
Mar 10, 2025•34 min•Ep. 101
The first of a three-part program paying tribute to famed conductor, composer, author, and teacher Lehman Engel. Engel is best known for having conducted over 150 musicals and shows, six of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director. He is widely credited for changing the landscape of musical theater literature through the many books he wrote on the subject and founding the BMI musical theatre workshop. Engel’s career is celebrated through the playing of various inte...
Mar 03, 2025•33 min•Ep. 100
The conclusion of a three-part program surveying twenty years of the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence on Broadway, more commonly referred to as the Tonys. In this program, Paul Lazarus and associate producer, Jeff Lunden build up anticipation for the 1984 Awards by playing and discussing music from the previous twenty Best Musical Tony winners, starting with 1964. Featured songs: “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Spreading Rhythm Around,” “Kiss Me!,” “Ladies and Their Sensitivities,” “Oh, What ...
Feb 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 99
The second of a three-part program surveying twenty years of the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence on Broadway, more commonly referred to as the Tonys. In this program, Paul Lazarus and associate producer, Jeff Lunden build up anticipation for the 1984 Awards by playing and discussing music from the previous twenty Best Musical Tony winners, starting with 1964. Featured songs: “The Egg,” “Welcome to the Theater,” “Another Hundred People,” “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” “Everyday a Little Death,...
Feb 17, 2025•37 min•Ep. 98
The first of a three-part program surveying twenty years of the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence on Broadway, more commonly referred to as the Tonys. In this program, Paul Lazarus and associate producer, Jeff Lunden build up anticipation for the 1984 Awards by playing and discussing music from the previous twenty Best Musical Tony winners, starting with 1964. Featured songs: “Hello, Dolly,” “The Best of Times,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Dulcinea”, “Why Should I Wake Up?” and “Hallelujah, ...
Feb 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 97
Guest hosted by Jeff Lunden; this is the conclusion of a three-part program paying tribute to acclaimed lyricist Howard Dietz. Dietz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with composer Arthur Schwartz. He penned the lyrics to numerous hit songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “By Myself,” and “That’s Entertainment.” In this program, Lunden celebrates Dietz’s impressive oeuvre by playing songs from shows like AT HOME ABROAD, INSIDE USA, and THE GAY LIFE. Featured songs: “That’s Not Cricket,” “...
Feb 03, 2025•38 min•Ep. 96
Guest hosted by Jeff Lunden; this is the second of a three-part program paying tribute to acclaimed lyricist Howard Dietz. Dietz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with composer Arthur Schwartz. Dietz penned the lyrics to numerous hit songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “By Myself,” and “That’s Entertainment.” In this program, Lunden celebrates Dietz’s impressive oeuvre by playing songs from shows like THE BAND WAGON, FLYING COLORS, and REVENGE WITH MUSIC. Featured songs: “Sweet Music,” ...
Jan 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 95
Guest hosted by Jeff Lunden; this is the first of a three-part program paying tribute to acclaimed lyricist Howard Dietz. Dietz is perhaps best known for his collaborations with composer Arthur Schwartz. Dietz penned the lyrics to numerous hit songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “By Myself,” and “That’s Entertainment.” In this program, Lunden celebrates Dietz’s impressive oeuvre by playing songs from shows like THE BAND WAGON, THE LITTLE SHOW, and THREE’S A CROWD. Featured songs: “That’s Entertain...
Jan 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 94
The conclusion of a three-part program celebrating the career of famed songwriter and singer, Hoagy Carmichael. Carmichael is best known for having composed some of the most popular American songs of all time, including “Star Dust,” “Skylark,” “Georgia on my Mind” and “Heart and Soul”. He collaborated with many celebrated lyricists including Johnny Mercer. In this series, noted jazz historian, Richard Sudhalter provides insightful commentary and shares many wonderful Carmichael recordings from h...
Jan 13, 2025•34 min•Ep. 93
The second of a three-part program celebrating the career of famed songwriter and singer, Hoagy Carmichael. Carmichael is best known for having composed some of the most popular American songs of all time, including “Star Dust,” “Skylark,” “Georgia on my Mind” and “Heart and Soul”. He collaborated with many celebrated lyricists including Johnny Mercer. In this series, noted jazz historian, Richard Sudhalter provides insightful commentary and shares many wonderful Carmichael recordings from his p...
Jan 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 92
The first of a three-part program celebrating the career of famed songwriter and singer, Hoagy Carmichael. Carmichael is best known for having composed some of the most popular American songs of all time, including “Star Dust,” “Skylark,” “Georgia on my Mind” and “Heart and Soul”. He collaborated with many celebrated lyricists including Johnny Mercer. In this series, noted jazz historian, Richard Sudhalter provides insightful commentary and shares many wonderful Carmichael recordings from his pe...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min•Ep. 91
Broadway’s greatest belter and star of GYPSY, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, and CALL ME MADAM is honored with highlights from her 50-year career. From GIRL CRAZY to HELLO, DOLLY!, Merman dazzled audiences with her performances and powerful, brassy voice. Listen as she recalls working with Cole Porter, Bert Lahr, and Irving Berlin to create the roles that would go down in history. Ira Gershwin, Bob Hope and Stephen Sondheim talk about working with the Queen of Musical Comedy. Featured songs: “There’s No Bu...
Dec 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 2
The conclusion of a two-part program paying tribute to legendary leading man Alfred Drake on, what would have been at the time, his 70th birthday. Drake is best known for starring in the original Broadway productions of KISS ME, KATE, KISMET, and OKLAHOMA! This birthday celebration surveys Drake’s Tony-Award winning Broadway career and features performances from GIGI, KEAN and SING OUT, SWEET LAND. Featured songs: “And This is My Beloved,” “Where is the Life That Late I Led?” “Service for Servic...
Dec 16, 2024•33 min•Ep. 89
The first of a two-part program paying tribute to legendary leading man Alfred Drake on, what would have been at the time, his 70th birthday. Drake is best known for starring in the original Broadway productions of KISS ME, KATE, KISMET, for which Drake won the Tony, and OKLAHOMA! This birthday celebration surveys Drake’s Tony-Award winning Broadway career and features recordings from BABES IN ARMS, KEAN, and SING OUT, SWEET LAND. Featured songs: “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “Fate,” “Wunderba...
Dec 09, 2024•32 min•Ep. 88
