The Daily Sunday Special: Bringing Broadway Home
Jesse Green, a culture correspondent and longtime theater critic for The New York Times, joins Elisabeth Vincentelli, an arts writer and former chief theater critic for The New York Post, to discuss making Broadway accessible. They explore early influences from cast recordings and televised theater, how the pandemic accelerated streaming opportunities, and the role of social media in promoting shows. Plus, they recommend standout cast albums and high-quality filmed performances, revealing new creative paths for theater lovers.
46:47
Schoolroom Cast Album Revelation
- Gilbert Cruz recalls a sixth-grade math teacher who played Les Misérables recordings and explained the story instead of teaching math.
- That exposure led him to see a live Broadway performance and sparked a lifelong love of theater.
Transcribing A Little Night Music
- Jesse Green grew up with cast albums on vinyl and cassette in regular rotation in his home.
- He transcribed A Little Night Music's lyrics by hand to learn them because the cassette lacked a booklet.
French TV Theater Upbringing
- Elisabeth Vincentelli grew up in rural France watching televised theater like Au Théâtre Ce Soir with her grandmother.
- Those TV broadcasts and MGM musicals shaped her early theater taste despite no local live theater or cast albums.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Childhood Encounters with Cast Albums
02:42 • 2min
Growing Up with Televised Theater in France
04:28 • 1min
Variety Shows and Broadway Exposure on TV
05:55 • 2min
Why Cast Albums and Live Captures Were Rare
07:32 • 4min
How the Pandemic Opened Streaming Opportunities
12:00 • 2min
Quarantine Theater Experiments and New Creators
13:44 • 2min
Defining 'Theater' Versus Film During Streamed Performances
15:40 • 1min
Audio Theater and Audible's Investments
16:46 • 54sec
Social Media's Role in Fan-Fueled Musicals
17:40 • 5min
Ad break
22:45 • 44sec
Essential Cast Albums to Start With
23:29 • 6min
The Famous Company Recording Documentary
29:19 • 2min
Live Televised Musicals and Film Adaptations
31:34 • 26sec
Streaming Full Productions for Young Audiences
32:00 • 1min
Good Night and Good Luck Capture on Amazon
33:26 • 3min
Recommended Recorded Stage Performances
36:38 • 2min
Best Movie Musicals vs. Stage Adaptations
38:54 • 3min
Theater Quiz and Lighthearted Closing Game
41:25 • 8min
Outro
49:39 • 1min
#29639
Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes
Hannah Moscovitch
The play centers on Jon, a celebrated novelist and university professor, who becomes infatuated with Annie, a nineteen-year-old student and fan of his work.
As their relationship develops, the narrative interrogates the nuances of consent, the abuse of power, and the lasting impact of such dynamics, especially as Annie gains perspective with time and maturity.
The story is set in 2014 and is both a dark comedy and a sharp critique of middle-class sexual politics in academia.
#33178
The Hair Book
Amanda Jane Jones
LaTonya Yvette
This book features bold, colorful graphics and simple alliterative text, celebrating various hair types and styles.
It includes a surprise mirror at the end to encourage self-reflection and promotes a message of inclusivity and self-acceptance.
#68792
The Waitress
Nameless. Faceless. Deadly?
Nina Manning
Kit Lowman, a waitress, finds solace in her anonymity, which allows her to keep her dark secrets hidden.
However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she faces a dilemma that could expose her true identity, forcing her to choose between revealing the truth or staying in the shadows.
#35368
Be More Chill
Ned Vizzini
Be More Chill is a novel by Ned Vizzini that follows Jeremy Heere, a socially awkward high school student who purchases a supercomputer pill called a 'squip' to improve his social status.
The story explores themes of identity, popularity, and the challenges of high school life.
The novel was later adapted into a successful Broadway musical.
#18952
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Jesus Christ Superstar
Tim Rice
Denes Agay
Andrew Lloyd Webber
The musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, tells the story of the final week in the life of Jesus Christ.
It explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, and the Roman Empire.
Through powerful music and dramatic storytelling, the musical delves into themes of faith, doubt, love, betrayal, and sacrifice.
The story is told from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, who expresses his growing unease with Jesus' popularity and fear of the consequences.
It captures the tension and conflict leading up to the crucifixion.
#10259
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Little shop of horrors
Alan Menken
Little Shop of Horrors, originally a 1960s B-movie, is a horror-comedy musical about a down-on-his-luck florist who discovers a plant that feeds on human blood.
The musical explores themes of ambition, morality, and the consequences of unchecked desires.
The story's dark humor and catchy songs have made it a cult classic.
The musical's popularity stems from its blend of horror, comedy, and social commentary.
Its enduring appeal lies in its exploration of human nature and the seductive power of temptation.
#41973
Vanya
Myrna Grant
This book tells the gripping story of Ivan (Vanya) Moiseyev, a soldier in the Soviet Red Army who faced ruthless persecution and incarceration for his Christian faith.
Despite enduring two years of trial and torture, Vanya never denied his Savior and continued to share the gospel with others.
His story has inspired millions worldwide as a testament to unwavering faith.
#5823
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Les Mis
Victor Hugo
'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo is an epic novel that delves into the depths of human suffering, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Set in 19th-century France, the story follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks to rebuild his life after serving a prison sentence for stealing bread.
As Valjean navigates a society marked by poverty, inequality, and moral decay, he encounters a diverse cast of characters who challenge his beliefs and shape his destiny.
Through themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of forgiveness, Hugo paints a vivid portrait of the human condition and the enduring hope for a better world.
The novel serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative potential of compassion.
#10051
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Good Night and Good Luck
Allison Kendall
While information on a Broadway play titled "Good Night and Good Luck" is limited, it's likely based on the 2005 film of the same name.
The film, directed by George Clooney, recounts the story of Edward R. Murrow's courageous stand against Senator Joseph McCarthy during the McCarthy era.
The narrative focuses on Murrow's journalistic integrity and his fight against McCarthyism.
The film explores themes of freedom of speech, journalistic ethics, and the dangers of censorship.
The film's stark black-and-white cinematography and restrained style enhance its dramatic impact.
A stage adaptation would likely maintain the film's focus on courage and the importance of truth in the face of oppression.
#23458
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Heathers the Musical
Laurence O'Keefe
Kevin Murphy
#22082
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
SpongeBob SquarePants
Cynthia Hands
SpongeBob SquarePants is a popular animated television series created by Stephen Hillenburg.
It features the adventures of SpongeBob, a sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.
The show is known for its humor, its memorable characters, and its exploration of themes like friendship and community.
It has been a cultural phenomenon for many years.
#21321
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Company
Stephen Sondheim
Company is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth.
It follows the story of Bobby, a single man on the eve of his 35th birthday, as he interacts with his married friends and contemplates his own marital status.
The musical is known for its non-linear structure and its exploration of themes such as marriage, relationships, and the difficulty of forming emotional connections in a fast-paced urban environment.
#1097
• Mentioned in 25 episodes
Hamilton
The Revolution
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Emily Ludolph
This book provides an unprecedented view into the development of *Hamilton*, from its conception to its landmark opening night on Broadway.
It includes the full libretto of the musical, photographs, interviews with key figures involved in the production, and over 200 footnotes by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The book also features contributions from Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, and President Obama, among others, and offers insights into the artistic process and the historical context of the musical.
#60695
A little night music
Stephen Sondheim
A Little Night Music is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.
It is inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film 'Smiles of a Summer Night'.
The story revolves around the complex and intertwined love lives of several couples during a weekend in the country.
The musical features a score predominantly in 3/4 time and includes the famous song 'Send in the Clowns'.
It opened on Broadway in 1973 and was a significant commercial success, winning several Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
#14832
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Guys and Dolls
Damon Runyon
Guys and Dolls is a collection of thirty-two short stories by Damon Runyon, set in the vibrant and often illicit world of New York City's Broadway during the 1920s and 1930s.
The stories are known for their humor and unique slang, which Runyon coined as 'Runyonesque.
' Characters like Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, and Nicely-Nicely Johnson are central to the tales, which were later adapted into the famous Broadway musical of the same name.
#9159
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Town
Conrad Richter
The Town follows Sayward Luckett Wheeler as her Ohio Valley settlement evolves into a bustling town with new businesses and industries.
The novel explores themes of change, industrialization, and family dynamics.
It is the third book in Richter's Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Awakening Land' trilogy.
#21056
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Gypsy
Carole Mortimer
In 'Gypsy' by Carole Mortimer, the story revolves around Shay, a widowed and pregnant woman who returns to the home of her former lover, Lyon Falconer, who is also her dead husband's brother.
The novel explores their complex relationship and the irresistible attraction between them, as well as the involvement of other characters who find Shay captivating.
#10700
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Chicago
Its History and its Builders, Volume 2
Josiah Seymour Currey
This volume is part of a five-volume set that provides a detailed history of Chicago.
It covers topics such as Douglas and Lincoln in Chicago, the Great Fires, the Civil War, Evanston, and the Universities.
The work is designed to engage historically interested readers without being a mere catalogue of dates, offering a rich understanding of the city's development and its importance in Western history.
#23768
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Oklahoma
Edwin C. McReynolds
#90
• Mentioned in 138 episodes
The great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan.
The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
#1078
• Mentioned in 25 episodes
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragic play that tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall in love despite the long-standing feud between their families.
The play explores themes of love, hate, fate, and the destructive nature of the families' vendetta.
After secretly marrying, the lovers face numerous challenges, including the death of Romeo's friend Mercutio and his subsequent banishment.
A failed plan to reunite the lovers leads to their tragic deaths, ultimately bringing peace between their families.
The play is renowned for its poetic language, passionate romance, and violent conflict, making it one of the world's most beloved and enduring stories.
#39179
Carousel
Richard Rodgers
Carousel is the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play 'Liliom' and transplanted from Budapest to the Maine coastline.
The story revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow and his romance with millworker Julie Jordan, which costs them both their jobs.
Billy's desperation leads him to commit a robbery, which ends tragically, and he is given a chance to make things right after his death.
The musical includes a secondary plot line involving millworker Carrie Pipperidge and her romance with fisherman Enoch Snow.
It features well-known songs and an extended ballet crucial to the plot.
Broadway represents some of the best and most exciting of what American theater has to offer. But for many people, it’s inaccessible. Whether because of geography, cost or other considerations, most people will never sit in a Broadway theater and experience a play or a musical in person.
For years, cast recordings have offered a way to experience Broadway shows at a remove. And now, in the streaming era, some Broadway shows are making themselves available to be watched remotely, in movie theaters and on television. Distance and expense aren’t the impediments they once were to culture lovers looking to experience world-class theater.
In this episode, Gilbert Cruz talks with Jesse Green and Elisabeth Vincentelli, two of The New York Times’s culture writers, about new ways to experience some of the joys of theater from the comfort of your own home.
On Today’s Episode:
Jesse Green is a Culture correspondent, focusing primarily on the fine arts, including theater, classical music and art.
Elisabeth Vincentelli writes about culture for The Times.
Background Reading:
Want to Listen to Musical Cast Albums? Our Top 10 Desert Island Picks
Theater to Stream: Mark Rylance in ‘Twelfth Night,’ and More
Times Theater Fans on Their Favorite Musical Cast Albums
Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Inset: Disney+
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