Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast #01 - Puzzles and Games in the Musicals of Sondheim, Part One
Aug 12, 2025
Join Sondheim expert Gail Leondar-Wright, musical theater enthusiast Eric Henwood-Greer, puzzle constructor Mark Halpin, and linguist Natalie Gerber as they dissect the clever intertwining of games and puzzles in Sondheim's works. Delve into how his obsession with wordplay shapes shows like 'Company' and 'Sweeney Todd.' Discover unique narrative techniques, such as the backward musical structures, and explore the emotional layers in 'Sunday in the Park with George.' These insightful discussions illuminate Sondheim's artistic genius through his playful approach.
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Bridge Terms As Emotional Metaphors
- Sondheim weaves game terminology into character interiority so technical bridge terms become emotional metaphors.
- This early device shows his taste for tight constraints that reveal character rather than just cleverness.
Actors Didn’t Know Bridge Rules
- Anthony Perkins recalled that neither he nor Dorothy Stickney knew how to play bridge during filming.
- Sondheim amusedly persisted in using esoteric bridge terms to shape the scene's effect.
Parties As Dramatic Game Boards
- Parties recur across Sondheim's shows as dramatic devices that gather characters and enable social games.
- He used parties to reveal relationships and missed connections rather than conventional romantic closures.
