The Commentary Magazine Podcast The Best Broadway Musicals
8 snips
Aug 18, 2025 Join a lively discussion as the hosts share their all-time favorite Broadway musicals, mixing humor with cultural insights. They dive deep into the emotional experience of 'The Lion King,' celebrate Sondheim's groundbreaking work in 'Company,' and explore his lasting influence on the genre. The contrast between 'The Godfather' and 'Guys and Dolls' sparks a debate about authenticity in storytelling. Finally, they reflect on Broadway's journey from decline to revival, highlighting iconic productions and the key figures behind their success.
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The Lion King’s Jaw-Dropping Puppet Magic
- Matt Continetti describes seeing The Lion King on Broadway during a family trip and calls it his best Broadway experience.
- He highlights Julie Taymor's puppetry and the opening
Company's Nonlinear Emotional Portrait
- Abe Greenwald explains Company’s nonlinear structure as an accretion of snapshots around Bobby's 35th birthday surprise party.
- He praises Sondheim's angular melodies, overlapping lines, and lyrical mastery that shape the show's portrait of adult ambiguity.
Childhood Memory Of Company’s Striking Set
- John Podhoretz recounts seeing Company as a child and remembering Boris Aronson's modern glass-and-steel set vividly.
- He connects that first-stage memory to repeated viewings and Sondheim's unmatched lyrical craft.
