Giants in the Sky

Broadway Podcast Network•broadwaypodcastnetwork.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

#7 - Christine Estabrook, the Baker's Wife in the First Reading at Playwrights Horizons

Christine Estabrook breaks the news on her casting in the first reading of Into the Woods at Playwrights Horizons and how strange it was to be a non-singer starring in a new musical. 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 24, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 7

#6 - Howard McGillin, Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf in the Playwrights Horizons Workshop

Howard McGillin gives the scoop on his casting in the Playwrights Horizons workshop of Into the Woods, what it was like to hear Sondheim sing his song, why he didn't do the show on Broadway and how the Master never let him forget 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

May 17, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 6

#5 - Joanna Gleason, the Original Baker's Wife

Joanna Gleason opens up about her star-making role, discussing her legendary audition when she didn't have an uptempo ("I said no, I don't, but I can sing this one really, really fast.") and the good luck omen that blew into her car window during the pre-Broadway run in San Diego. 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 17, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 5

#4 - Ira Weitzman, the Original Dramaturg

Ira Weitzman gets into the weeds with Into the Woods, from giving Sondheim a pep talk to tricking Lapine into casting Chip Zien, he lays out every step of the process turning a sketchy draft of the book at Playwrights Horizons into a full-fledged Broadway musical. 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 17, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 4

#3 - Danielle Ferland, the Original Little Red Riding Hood

Danielle Ferland dives into the dilemma of balancing Broadway roles with middle school and how Bernadette Peters does not run around naked 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

May 10, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 3

#2 - Chip Zien, the Original Baker

Chip Zien charts his journey Into the Woods from James Lapine's dissatisfaction with his performance as a prince in the first reading to the night late in the Broadway run, he walked in on Stephen Sondheim all alone and crying in his darkened dressing room. 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 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 2

#1 - James Lapine, the Bookwriter and Original Director

James Lapine lets us into the origins of Into the Woods, from his very first conversations with Sondheim to Patti LuPone's audition for Cinderella, and ultimately the Broadway triumph and why it was important for him to direct the broadcast cameras rather than delegating the filming of the show to the director of the Golden Girls, as had been done for Sunday in the Park with George. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn ...

May 08, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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