Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast

Do we really need another book on Sondheim? That’s the driving question behind Barry’s recent appearance at the venerable Drama Book Shop in New York City. For the 20th episode of the Matching Minds with Sondheim podcast, explore the book-ey-ness of Matching Minds. Michael Mitnick interviews Barry in front of a live audience where together they discuss the creative challenges and the biographical insights gained during its writing.  Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Milestones 04:36 Drama Book Show Commentary 05:04 Sondheim's Love for Puzzles 08:19 Barry Joseph's Presentation 12:43 Audience Q&A and Research Insights 26:15 The Last of Sheila: A Real-Life Inspired Murder Mystery 26:42 Sondheim's Custom Puzzle for Games Magazine 28:38 Sondheim's Influence in Glass Onion 30:16 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts and Puzzle Designs 31:36 Sondheim's Cryptic Crosswords Legacy 33:14 The Emotional Impact of Sondheim's Work 36:35 Recreating Sondheim's Games for Research 38:23 Sondheim's Board Games and Auctions 41:03 Sondheim's Influence on Musical Theater 45:47 Final Reflections and Audience Questions Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Sondheim's 2002 Into the Wood opening night jigsaw puzzle The Bookworm Sculpture at the Drama Book Shop Matching Minds: The Exhibit The Drama Book Show Podcast Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank the staff of the Drama Book Shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the audience at the Museum of the City of New York as Joseph guides them on a tour of How Stephen Sondheim Gamified New York City. The talk explores the unique ways Sondheim incorporated the city into his games and puzzles. Through various anecdotes and historical references, Joseph highlights Sondheim's creative process, from his early board games to intricate treasure hunts and escape rooms. The presentation is enriched with clips from Sondheim's musicals, showcasing how his playful lens extended beyond the stage and into the real-world geography and culture of New York City. The episode emphasizes Sondheim's dual passion for theater and games, inviting the audience to experience New York City anew as an interactive playground. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction and Presentation Setup 02:26 Welcome to the Museum of the City of New York 03:15 Barry Joseph's Introduction 04:14 Sondheim's New York City Musicals 09:11 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts 12:29 Sondheim's Board Game for Hal Prince 15:32 A Little Night Music Treasure Hunt 17:26 Sondheim's Escape Room Experience 23:24 Sondheim's Cryptic Puzzles 27:57 Jurassic Treasure Hunt at the Museum of Natural History 29:11 Stephen Sondheim's Treasure Hunt Adventure 29:40 Exploring Iconic New York Locations 30:17 Challenges and Decisions in the Library 31:01 Natural History Museum: The Perfect Venue 31:27 Designing the Dinosaur Hall Puzzle 34:29 The Star-Studded Event 35:39 The Murder Game: A Meta-Puzzle 38:05 Sondheim's Puzzle Legacy 41:36 Q&A: Uncovering Sondheim's Hidden Treasures Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Museum of the City of New York Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Ann Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Nick Martinez and the whole crew at MCNY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From an interview with Donald Feltham on his Broadway Radio Show, join Barry on his journey writing a book on Stephen Sondheim's love for puzzles and games, spurred by birthday gifts from his wife. Barry shares how interviewing over 120 people, many of whom were Sondheim's friends and game enthusiasts, helped paint a comprehensive picture of this multifaceted Broadway legend. The episode concludes with a plug for Barry's book and podcast, encouraging listeners to explore these resources for a deeper understanding of Sondheim's playful genius. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 01:34 Donald Feltham's Broadway Radio Show 02:29 Discussing the Book: Matching Minds with Sondheim 03:06 Barry Joseph's Background and Inspiration 03:21 The Influence of Stephen Sondheim 04:43 The Genesis of the Book 05:13 Exploring Sondheim's Life and Work 10:48 The Ludological Lens 11:21 Structure of the Book 16:43 Sondheim's Playful Side 18:11 Research and Interviews 23:16 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts 26:51 Engaging Everyone at the Party 27:04 The 2013 Treasure Hunt 29:02 Recreating the Treasure Hunt Over Zoom 31:37 The Famous Murder Game 38:36 The Last of Sheila: From Game to Movie 43:57 Sondheim's Challenging Jigsaw Puzzles 48:32 Conclusion and Podcast Invitation Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis The Broadway Radio Show with Donald Feltham Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Donald Feltham both for interviewing me and letting me rebroadcast our interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve is Love: Merrily We Play Along Celebrate the upcoming cinematic release of Broadway’s Merrily We Roll Along with this special episode, including an interview with Maria Friedman, the show’s innovative director. Maria shares insights into Sondheim's work, his love for puzzles and games, and how her production managed to solve the notoriously challenging musical. The episode also includes reflections on the autobiographical nature of Sondheim's writing, the role of games like Hostilities in his life and work, and excerpts from the upcoming proshot film release of Merrily We Roll Along. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Cold Open 00:14 Barry's post-theme opening 05:24 Trailer for Proshot of Merrily 07:03 Barry Interstitial 08:25 Maria Friedman interview: Part 1 15:21 Barry Interstitial 18:56 Excerpt from Podcast 1 analyzing Merrily 25:47 Barry Interstitial 26:04 Maria Friedman interview: Part 2 36:09 Barry's final interstitial Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Merrily We Roll Along (movie) Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Maria Friedman and the full PR team that made her accessible for my interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me give you more to hear! A bonus episode. Revisit my interview with Richard Schoch, author of How Sondheim Can Change Your Life, exploring how Sondheim's works and different analytical lenses bring out varied interpretations. Dig deeper into the promotional jigsaw puzzles for the The Last of Sheila. Listen to anecdotes from my experience with the first-ever alternative reality game, The Beast. We’ll end with reflections on publishing a new book, sharing poignant advice for aspiring authors from Richard Schoch, and highlighting how the release of my book has resonated with readers and fans alike. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 The GIve Us More episode (Podcast) 01:57 1. Richard Schock and Anyone Can Whistle 07:53 2. The Last of Sheila's Promotional Jigsaw Puzzles 33:05 5. Richard Schoch, Puzzle Boxes, and Advice to Authors with Upcoming Books 47:37 7. Broadway Radio Show Recommendation 48:14 8. Katz JCC Q&A Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Reality Escape Pod Richard Schoch The Last of Sheila production short Bernie De Koven’s The Well-Played Game Matthew Farber and Tracy Fullerton’s The Well-Read Game The Grammar Girl Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You are formally invited to my Sondheim game night party, already underway. Join previous guests David Spira, Kellian Adams, and James McCusker as we tackle and explore Sondheim's intricate world of parlor games, such as Running Charades, The Listening Game, Bartletts, Camouflage, Hostilities, and The Murder Game. Discussions touch on game history, clever designs, and the emotional nuances Sondheim orchestrated. Learn why Kellian calls Sondheim an “Ace Human Hacker” and why this is my favorite episode to date!  Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to Matching Minds with Sondheim 00:57 Welcome to the Halloween Party 02:06 First Guests Arrive 04:58 Discussing Parlor Games 08:33 Exploring the Listening Game 14:23 Running Charades: Sondheim's Twist 18:26 Playing Bartletts: A Creative Challenge 27:23 Camouflage: Hidden in Plain Sight 33:57 Introducing the Game 'Hostilities' 34:38 Rules and Mechanics of 'Hostilities' 38:05 Reflecting on the Brutality of 'Hostilities' 47:11 Exploring the Murder Game 58:00 Sondheim's Approach to Game Design 01:03:24 Closing Thoughts and Reflections Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Club Drosselmeyer Melissa Errico Sondheim In the City The American Girl's Handy Book Stephen Schiff  Richard Maltby, Jr. Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode, specifically the musical stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy, and sung by the one and only Ann Morrison, who created the role of Mary in Merrily We Roll Along.  And please welcome our new line producer, Dennis Caouki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please join me as we revisit my guest spots on Hello Puzzler, a delightful podcast hosted by AJ Jacobs and his Chief puzzle Officer, Greg Pliska. Each week, they have a celebrity guest who appears across three episodes, and they then toss puzzles at them like peanuts to an elephant. However, to me it was more like knives to a juggler who can't juggle. I tried. Really, I tried. So today you can listen to my second and third appearance. In the first one, Greg challenged me with an inventive and hilarious Sondheim theme puzzle. I'll let him explain how it works. But all you who know the names of Sondheim songs will especially enjoy playing from home. Then in my final appearance, I get to relax and turn the tables on them. I found a number of Sondheim's own puzzles from crosswords and treasure hunts, and challenged both AJ and Greg to try and solve them. Give it a shot at home and see if you do a better job than they did at… matching minds with Sondheim. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to the Puzzle Concept 05:07 Introducing Steven Sandheim 05:26 The Twist: One Letter Changes Everything 05:40 Example: West Side Stork 06:06 Explaining the Puzzle Format 06:13 First Puzzle Challenge Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis The Wonderful World of Words Weekend The Hello Puzzler Podcast Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode, specifically the musical stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy, and sung by the one and only Ann Morrison, who created the role of Mary in Merrily We Roll Along. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What. An. Episode! This one focuses on Stephen Sondheim's relationship with video games... sort of. This episode is hard to describe. The audio from today comes from a podcast I was a guest on by Dennis Hensley called Dennis Anyone? So is this just a re-podcast? Well, no. This is my own edit of that episode. See, this is what happened: Dennis invited me onto his podcast, then about an hour in his friend joined us. His name is also Dennis. So this episode could be called A Tale of Two Dennis. Let's call him Dennis 2. It turns out Dennis 2 was friends with Sondheim for around 35 years playing digital games with him. In fact, Sondheim would fly Dennis 2 out from LA just for weekend marathon play sessions of games like Myst and Oxyd. The thing is, Dennis 2 had never spoken publicly about his relationship with Sondheim. Even when Sondheim sent his biographer Meryle Secrest in the nineties to interview him. He never spoke about his relationship with Sondheim until this podcast episode, and it was pretty remarkable. Dennis 1 invited me to be both guest and host, so I got to interview Dennis 2 as well. As you know, my book is based on conversations with and information from over 120 people. But other than John Weidman, no one else spoke with me about playing digital games with Sondheim and how it framed their relationship. And no one shared photos with me. Until Dennis 2. It has been quite a trip! so please join me as we revisit it  together. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 The Mysterious Invitation 00:43 Introduction to the Episode 01:21 A Tale of Two Dennis 01:32 Sondheim's Gaming Obsession 12:22 The Myst Experience 28:24 Sondheim's Humble Beginnings 30:10 The Last of Sheila: A Lifelong Bond 32:14 Games and Mentorship 35:49 Creative Criticism and Friendship 38:49 The Doctor is Out: A Critical Review 40:55 Sondheim's Puzzle Legacy 45:09 Reflections and Final Thoughts Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis "Dennis Anyone?" podcast Video of Oxyd in Sondheim’s issue of Games Magazine: https://youtube.com/shorts/A-fnPWuzU0U?feature=shareThanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode, specifically the musical stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy, and sung by Ann Morrison, who created the role of Mary in Merrily We Roll Along. And SPECIAL thanks to both Dennis Osborne and Dennis Hensley! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special event at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts, Barry Joseph launches his new book, Matching Minds with Sondheim. The session dives into Stephen Sondheim's intricate world of puzzles and games, enriched by anecdotes from Joseph's extensive research, emphasizing the roles of research institutions in the development of the project. Attendees participate in an interactive game inspired by Sondheim, and hear from guest speakers including Richard Maltby Jr. (director and producer, lyricist, and screenwriter) and Daria Begley (writer for The Sondheim Society). Joseph shares insights into Sondheim's creative process, his love for puzzles, and his method of creating clarity and connection through games, offering a unique perspective on the Broadway legend. This event was recorded at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. All rights reserved. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:15 Introducing Barry Joseph and His Book 02:11 Acknowledgements and Special Thanks 03:00 Interactive Audience Participation 04:04 Honoring Those Who Contributed 05:37 Exploring Sondheim's Puzzles and Games 09:24 Sondheim's Unique Card Game 12:47 Sondheim's Board Games for Bernstein 19:30 Playing Sondheim's Murder Game 22:08 Insights from Richard Malty Jr. 29:17 Sondheim's Jurassic Treasure Hunt 32:07 Daria Begley's Winning Experience 36:10 Sondheim's Puzzle Philosophy 37:25 Book Release and Q&A Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis Richard Maltby American Museum of Natural History Michelle King Lost for Words: A Party Card Game of Untranslatable Feelings The blog post about this event, with photos (including the one with Daria, her T.rex, and the audience).  Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode, specifically the musical stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy, and sung by Ann Morrison, who created the role of Mary in Merrily We Roll Along. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we unpack the 1973 murder mystery film The Last of Sheila, written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. The discussion features guest James McCusker, a 45-year fan of Sondheim and a college composition professor. They explore the movie's origins, the unique parlor games that inspired the screenplay, and its impact on pop culture. Additional insights are provided by David Leopold from the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, highlighting Hirschfeld's unique promotional artwork for the film. The episode concludes by examining the film's game design elements and how they reflect Sondheim's creative mind. Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction to The Last of Sheila 01:26 Meet the Hosts: Barry and James 02:39 Origins of The Last of Sheila 05:02 Sondheim and Perkins: A Creative Partnership 13:52 The Games in The Last of Sheila 23:41 Exploring the Mysteries in Sheila 31:13 Clinton's Game and the Broken Pattern 32:23 The True Purpose of Clinton's Party 34:59 The Promotion and Press Book 36:23 Al Hirschfeld's Contribution 48:31 The Impact of 'The Last of Sheila' 53:53 Sondheim's Puzzle Design Values 57:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Special Links: Colm Molloy Ann Morrison Mateo Chavez Lewis The Al Hirschfeld Foundation Hirschfeld's Sondheim: A Poster Book Animation from Sondheim’s notes at the Library of Congress that create a crossword grid of the actor’s names. The Last of Sheila production short Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode, specifically the musical stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy, and sung by the one and only Ann Morrison, who created the role of Mary in Merrily We Roll Along. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices