Giants in the Sky - podcast cover

Giants in the Sky

Broadway Podcast Networkbroadwaypodcastnetwork.com
This is an unparalleled look behind the scenes and between the lines of the landmark musical Into the Woods. Ben Rimalower produces and hosts candid conversations with the original stars and creatives of Into the Woods offering their unique perspectives on the development process of its iconic original production. Guests include writer-director director James Lapine, dramaturg Ira Weitzman, and original stars Bernadette Peters, Phylicia Rashad, Chip Zien and Joanna Gleason.
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Episodes

#66 - Michael R. Jackson, The Legacy of Into the Woods

Michael R. Jackson shares how he relates to the mixed reception received by Into the Woods, muses about he might respond to the show's criticism, and reflects upon the legacy of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 66

#65 - Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Legacy of Into the Woods

Lin-Manuel Miranda shares Sondheim's hilarious request for Spanish translation of "I Feel Pretty" and reflects upon the legacy of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 12, 20251 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 65

#64 - Donna Murphy, the Witch at the Delacorte and Original Auditionee

Donna Murphy charts her decades long journey with the seminal show and finally sets the record straight on the rumor she recored Meryl Streep's vocals for the film. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 07, 20241 hr 58 minSeason 1Ep. 64

#63 - Dana Ivey, the Witch in the Playwrights Horizons Reading

Dana Ivey shares her experience working in musical theater for a change--and explains why it was so enjoyable for her. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 202424 minSeason 1Ep. 63

#62 - Heidi Ettinger, the Original Producer and Graphic Designer

Heidi Ettinger explains how a she came to design the logo art for Into the Woods while producing the show. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 05, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 62

#61 - Mary D'Arcy, Cinderella in the Playwrights Horizons Workshop

Mary D'Arcy recalls Paul Gemignani teaching her the score to Act One of Into the Woods and speculates on why she wasn't cast when the production moved forward. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 202434 minSeason 1Ep. 61

#60 - Michael Chybowski, First Assistant to the Lighting Designer

Michael Chybowski shares what it was like to work under Richard Nelson in designing the lighting for the original Broadway production of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 202435 minSeason 1Ep. 60

#59 - Patti LuPone, Broadway Legend/Rejected Cinderella

Patti LuPone spills all the tea about her audition to play Cinderella in Into the Woods, why she passed on playing the Witch twice, and whether she might be up for taking a crack at the role now. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 08, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 59

#58 - Tom Galantich, Replacement Prince on Broadway

Tom Galantich talks about his time on Broadway as an understudy and replacement in the original Broadway production. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 01, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 58

#57 - Stuart Zagnit, Replacement Steward on Tour

Stuart Zagnit gives the ins and outs of acting on a national tour, and drops some delicious show biz tidbits along the way, including a hilarious experience with Carol Channing and Betty White. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 24, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 57

#56 - Judy McLane, Replacement Baker’s Wife on Tour

Judy McLane checks in from the current national tour of Company to talk about this full circle Sondheim moment in her long and varied career. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 56

Listen Now - Singular Sensation: The Podcast

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has created a companion podcast featuring his never-before-heard, taped audio interviews with legendary artis...

Apr 13, 202410 min

#55 - Robert Duncan McNeill, Jack on the National Tour

Robert Duncan McNeill remembers the good times on tour with Into the Woods and reveals his participation in the Public Theater workshop of Sondheim and Lapine’s Muscle, including some major co-stars! Plus, Ben discovers the original table reading cast of Into the Woods! Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 20241 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 55

#54 - Eric Stern, Co-Musical Director at The Old Globe

Eric Stern recalls how Paul Gemignani mapped out their sharing of musical director duties as well as his own contributions to the underscoring. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 03, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 54

#53 - Marianne Cane, Stage Manager on Broadway

Marianne Cane offers a detailed depiction of the rehearsal process for Into the Woods on Broadway and in the final workshop, including vivid descriptions of Betty Buckley's vocal performance, and what it was like to be in the room with her. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 27, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 53

#52 - Robert Sean Leonard, Jack in the Playwrights Horizons Workshop

Robert Sean Leonard remembers working on the early incarnation of Into the Woods and how James Lapine told him he wouldn't be going forward with the show. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 52

#51 - Maureen Davis, the Original Sleeping Beauty and Stunt Witch

Maureen Davis explains how all the magic worked transforming Bernadette Peters from the old crone to the beautiful enchantress. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 13, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 51

#50 - Bernadette Peters, the Original Witch

Bernadette Peters opens up about when she first fell in love with Stephen Sondheim's songs and how James Lapine pulled her back from the broad comedy she initially brought to the role of the Witch. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 06, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 50

#49 - RJ Cutler, Assistant to the Director (Broadway and Final Workshop)

RJ Cutler remembers walking Betty Buckley's dog and and waiting with bated breath for the big songs that would complete Act Two of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 202455 min

#48 - Jean Louisa Kelly, the original Snow White

Jean Louisa Kelly was excited and scared to join Broadway star Bernadette Peters in Into the Woods as Snow White and understudy to Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. She left the cast to resume her normal high school life just in time to miss filming the show for PBS, but went on to a successful Hollywood career anyway. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 21, 202433 minSeason 1Ep. 48

#46 - Kay McClelland, the original Florinda and Replacement Baker's Wife

Kay McClelland comes clean on how she never felt her job was safe in her three years with Into the Woods and how the only job security she got was, as the Baker's Wife at the end of the run, being told the show would close soon so it was too late to replace her. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 07, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 46

#45 - Tony Straiges, the original Set Designer

Tony Straiges tells all the secrets of his magical scenic design. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 31, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 45

#44 - Phylicia Rashad, Replacement Witch

Phylicia Rashad recalls her happiness at being asked to audition for Into the Woods and recounts her embrace of the challenges of performing Stephen Sondheim's songs. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 24, 202435 minSeason 1Ep. 44

#43 - Daniel Henning, the Witch in James Lapine's Blocking Exercises

Daniel Henning was a Senior at NYU when he got the opportunity of a lifetime, to play the Witch in James Lapine's blocking exercises. His vivid memories set the tone for a far-ranging and colorful conversation about the show and the actors who came before and after him in it. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 17, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 43

#42 - Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Auditioned Choreographer

Marcia Milgrom Dodge dishes on her audition to choreograph Into the Woods and how--at the eleventh hour--James Lapine invited her back to the final workshop for one more look, just in case. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 42

#41 - Jacqui Dankworth, Cinderella in London & Cleo Laine's Daughter

Jacqui Dankworth fell in in love with Into the Woods watching her legendary mother Cleo Laine play the Witch in the National Tour. Little did she know, she'd be originating the role Cinderella on the West End just under two years later. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 03, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 41

#40 - Jonathan Hadley, Rapunzel's Prince on the National Tour

Jonathan Hadley has vivid memories of his time on tour with Into the Woods, recalling everything from his abbreviated rehearsal process as standby to Charlotte Rae's plastic covered furniture and star Cleo Laine's salty sense of humor backstage. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 27, 202359 minSeason 1Ep. 40

#39 - Tracy Katz Paladini, Little Red Riding Hood on the National Tour

Tracy Katz Paladini got the plum role of Little Red Riding Hood on the National Tour of Into the Woods fresh out of school, but her talent and training could hardly have prepared her for the strain of life on the road. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 202353 minSeason 1Ep. 39

#38 - Douglas Sills, Rapunzel's Prince on the National Tour

Douglas Sills opens up about everything from the challenges of being an out actor in the 80s and 90s to his almost #MeToo moment with Sondheim and message from the master beyond the grave. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 13, 20231 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 38
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