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So Much Stuff to Sing

Shannon Dohar and Erik Stadnik

A podcast about the American Musical.

Hosted by Shannon in New York and Erik in Prague; twice monthly.

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  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 40 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S1 · E145
    August 16 · 44 min

    Episode 145 - Move On

    While the 80s were undeniably the age of the megamusical, they were also a time when more artistically inclined shows found alternative methods of making their way to Broadway. One of the first of these -- and perhaps the most artisitic -- was Stephen Sondheim's return to Broadway (after a relatively short absence). Along with his new collaorator, James Lapine, Sondheim gave us his most personal and most emotional work yet, and he and Lapine earned the Pulitzer Prize for their effort. In this episode, we discuss "Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George. Do we cry? You bet we do! All clips are from the 1984's Sunday in the Park with George: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical https://everythingsondheim.org/move-on-from-sunday-in-the-park-with-george/

  • S1 · E144
    August 1 · 40 min

    Episode 144 - Memory

    A new day has begun, indeed. The 1980s brought many changes to Broadway, especially the arrival of the London-import megamusical that would run, well, seemingly forever, and its champion, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Join us we talk about how Broadway was changing, how Cats fed into that, and try to pinpoint what, exactly "Memory" -- with lyrics by Trevor Nunn -- is actually about. Editor's note: This is the second (and hopefully final) episode of the same recording session where Shannon's audio was weird. Our apologies. All clips are from the 1983's Cats: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Betty Buckley and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Betty Buckley sings "Memory" at 1983's Tonys "Memory" - Barbra Streisand "Memory" - Heather Headley Who Sang the "Memory" Climax Best? Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E143
    July 19 · 44 min

    Episode 143 - Epiphany

    The end of the 70s and, in some ways, the end of an era. Starting with Cabaret, we have traced the changes happening in theater in the wake of the end of the Golden Age. More mature themes and language, less traditional storytelling, new kinds of music, and simply a broader range of acceptable topics -- all of these changes and more occurred extrmely rapidly. And while it's hard to pinpoint exact when this period ended, Sweeney Todd feels like as good as a place as any. An artistic masterpiece, a Tony triumph, a cultural landmark, but ultimately a commercial failure, and maybe the last big swing that Broadway was willing to tolerate for a while. We talk all this, and more, with "Epiphany." Two editor's notes: Sweeney Tood is not exactly a family friendly show, so listener discretion is advise, though I have removed the swear word from the song itself. Also, Shannon's audio track had some issues and she sounds a bit strange. Our apologies. All clips are from the 1979 original cast album of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street featuring Len Carious and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E142
    July 1 · 42 min

    Episode 142 - At the Ballet

    1975. The Broadway musical is maturing and evolving, and while it's probing deeper than ever before, this new style of musical has yet to produce a record-breaking smash. Enter A Chorus Line. The first show to set any number of performance records, A Chorus Line was an unlikely smash, seeing as it had no famous stars, was written by a group of relatively unknown theatrical creators, and was about dancers at an audition. And yet, director and choreogreapher Michael Bennett saw the potential in the everyday struggles of Broadway dancers, and he turned it into a landmark. In this episode, we talk about the destruction of the fourth wall in "At the Ballet" with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Ed Kleban. All clips are from the 2015 40th anniversary celebration remaster of the original cast album of A Chorus Line featuring Kelly Bishop, Nancy Lane, and Kay Cole and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical Record Breaking Performance of A Chorus Line featuring Kelly Bishop and Kay Cole Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, and Kelli O'Hara Seth Rudetsky Deconstructs "At the Ballet"

  • S1 · E141
    June 16 · 39 min

    Episode 141 - Barcelona

    We enter the 1970s: the era of Sondheim and Prince, of a modern Broadway for modern audiences, and of something new and vital that comes to take the place of a Broadway musical formula that had ceased to please. Everything kicks off with Sondheim's 1970 masterpiece Company: directed by Prince, with a book by George Furth and choreogeraphy by Michael Bennet, the show would usher in a new type of Broadway musical, whether audiences and critics were ready or not. Here, we talk about "Barcelona" as capturing much of what defines this new era on Broadway. All clips are from the 1970 cast album of Company featuring Susan Browning and Dean Jones and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E140
    June 1 · 42 min

    Episode 140 - Black Boys/White Boys

    The 60s roll on, and we come to the show that, more than any other, defines the 1960s musical: Hair. The ultimate hippie musical that broke barriers and box office records, Hair has become synonymous with the late 60s counterculture, even though its creators weren't truly a part of it. Still, it addresses sex, race, and numerous other taboo topics head-on in a way that is still uncommon to see, as we learn when we talk about the paired songs "Black Boys" and "White Boys." Please note, this episode contains frank discussions of sex, race, and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. All clips are from the 1968 cast album of Hair featuring Diane Keaton and Melba Moore and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E139
    May 15 · 41 min

    Episode 139 - Willkommen

    And so, with a seemingly endless wash from the cymbals, we enter the modern era. It's 1966, Hal Prince has taken to directing instead of producing, and John Kander and Fred Ebb are going to give life to his vision of a musical about Weimar-era Berlin that would be unlike anything Broadway had ever seen. Cabaret was the show, and, fittingly enough, we're talking about the first song they wrote for that show: "Willkommen." All clips are from the 1966 cast album of Cabaret featuring Joel Grey and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E138
    May 1 · 47 min

    Episode 138 - If I Were a Rich Man

    The 1960s would eventually completely revolutionize huge swaths of the American cultural landcape, including Broadway. But as is often the case, the early part of the decade looks a lot like the decade before: talented young writers, composers, directors, and producers pushing at the boundaries of what Rodgers & Hammerstein had done. It was the Golden Age of the Broadway Musical, and its last masterpiece was Bock and Harnick's Fiddler on the Roof from 1964. Produced by Hal Prince, directed by Jerome Robbins, and starring the indomitable Zero Mostel, the show was an absolute smash, and is one of the last of its kind. Join us as we talk Fiddler, Zero, HUAC, and "If I Were a Rich Man." All clips are from the 1964 cast album of Fiddler on the Roof featuring Zero Mostel and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: The transcript of Zero Mostel's testimony before HUAC Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E137
    April 18 · 40 min

    Episode 137 - Rose's Turn

    As the 1950s came to a close, Broadway continued to push and expand what could be done in a musical and what was expected of a night at the theater. Stars were becoming less powerful and less of a draw, though some stars found ways to maintain their status by proving that they had a place in the new style of show tha cared more about the truth of a character than simply star power. Once such star was Ethel Merman, and her final original stage role was also her greatest: playing Rose in 1959's Gypsy. Composer Jule Styne joined most of the West Side Story Team -- Robbins, Bernstein, and Sondheim -- to tell this story of the ultimate stage mother. It was Robbins and Sondheim, however, who created the show's 11 o'clock number, and one of the greatest star turns in Broadway history: "Rose's Turn." It has challenged Broadway divas ever since. All clips are from the cast album of the 2024 revival of Gyspy featuring Audra McDonald and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: https://unhummable.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/breaking-down-a-song-roses-turn/ Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E136
    April 1 · 46 min

    Episode 136 - America

    As the 1950s moved on, new talents were emerging, taking up the challenge laid down by Rodgers and Hammerstein to create integrated musicals featuring real characters dealing with real issues. Among others, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim heard that challenge and rose to meet it, creating something brand new and incredibly challening for 50s Broadway audiences. West Side Story debuted in 1957 (Erik says 1959 a few times in the episode, ignore him), and its 1961 film adaptation cemented its legacy as a classic. So why has it taken this long to get to it? The reasons are complicated. Join us as we discuss them and the 2021 version of "America," All clips are from 2021's motion picture soundtrack of West Side Story featuring Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: https://sites.google.com/view/analyzing-vocal-music/posts/leonard-bernstein-america https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/the-divided-states-of-america-why-rita-moreno-objected-to-west-side-storys-original-lyrics/18671/ Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E135
    March 18 · 38 min

    Episode 135 - Fugue for Tinhorns

    Rodgers & Hammerstein ushered in a new style with Oklahoma! in 1943, and soon, the old styles died away, putting up various degrees of resistance as they did so. Irving Berlin and Cole Porter both adopted a more R&H approach with their late 40s musicals, but it wasn't only existing masters who were influenced by the new approach. 1950 brought Guys & Dolls to Broadway, with Frank Loesser making his debut as a Broadway composer. Is it the best musical comedy ever written? It certainly belongs in the conversation, as we discuss in our episode on "Fugue for Tinhorns." All clips are from a 1951's cast recording of Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E134
    March 4 · 34 min

    Episode 134 - Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'

    There's something deeply symbolic -- perhaps almost too much so -- about the Golden Era of the American Musical being ushered in by a song called "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'." But sometimes history is not subtle in her imagery, so here we are. The opening number to Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1943 absolute smash hit and epochal achivement, Oklahoma!, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" is modest and simple. And yet, it -- and the show it's from -- changed everything. Including ushering in the era of cast recordings, incidentally. All clips are from a 1943's cast recording of Oklahoma! and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E133
    February 15 · 36 min

    Episode 133 - My Funny Valentine

    Time marches on, and so does our exploration of the American musical's first century. In this episode, we say a bittersweet farewell to the musical comedy as it existed in the 20s and 30s, the era of the Great American Songbook, and the partnership of Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart. Join us as we discuss "My Funny Valentine" from 1937's Babes in Arms. All clips are from a 1953's Chet Baker Sings and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Warning: This episode contains discussions of substance abuse and mental illness. Listener discretion is advised. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Rodgers & Hart reconsidered Rodgers & Hart's Dysfunctional Partnership Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E132
    February 1 · 34 min

    Episode 132 - Summertime

    Stop 2 on our 100 year trip through the history of the American musical: 1935 and Porgy & Bess. With music by George Gershwin and lyrics by his brother Ira and original Porgy novelist Debose Heyward, Porgy & Bess was immediately hailed as a masterpiece when it debuted in 1935, though it has been troubled from the start by the question of whether it's too much of an opera to be a musical, and vice versa. As time has passed, the question of whether the piece is inherently racist has also risen and gotten more urgent. But the score remains as one of the great acheivements of the American theater, regardless of genre. In this episode, we discuss the iconic "Summertime" and Porgy & Bess. All clips are from a 1935 recording of Abbie Mitchell, who originally sang "Summertime" in the first prodcution, and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Watch a modern operatic performance of "Summertime." George Gershwin introducing and conducting pieces from Porgy & Bess, including "Summertime." Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: George Gershwin in the New York Times about calling Porgy & Bess a "folk opera" Sondheim's 2011 letter responding to an article about the most recent Broadway revival Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E131
    January 15 · 41 min

    Episode 131 - Ol' Man River

    Welcome to 2026, where we're going to go through the first 100 years of the American Musical from its earliest days until the present to track the changes along the way. As a musical once said, the beginning is a very good place to start, so we're starting with 1927's Showboat -- arguably the beginning of what we'd come to call the American Musical. Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, Showboat brought a seriousness of topic and of purpose to the musical stage while still incorporating elements of what had gone before. It was the smash of its day, running for well over 500 performances -- unheard of at the time for musicals. In this episode, we discuss one of that show's most enduring songs, "Ol' Man River," and how the song and its theme is intimately connected to what made Showboat such a groundbreaking show. All clips are from the 1936 film adaptation of Showboat faeturing Paul Robeson and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. N.B. This episode discusses matters of race and racism and alludes to racial slurs. Listener discretion is advised. Watch the scene from the film Listen to the original performer, Jules Bledsoe See Judy Garland performing the song in 1963 Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com Recommended Reading/Viewing: Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion) Broadway: The American Musical

  • S1 · E130
    Dec 6, 2025 · 36 min

    Episode 130 - The Private and Intimate Life of the House

    After another plague of delays, we finally complete our miniseries on aging with the darkest and most brutal depiction of it we've seen. Once again, we return to Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy with "The Private and Intimate Life of the House." This isn't a fun one, so listen with care. We will be back on January 15, 2026 with something unlike we've ever done -- stay tuned! All clips are from 2017's Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Gelsey Bell and Nicholas Belton and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. N.B. This episode was also plagued by some audio issues. It is entirely listenable, but it's a bit quiet at times. Management regrets the inconvenience. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.co

  • S1 · E129
    Nov 1, 2025 · 34 min

    Episode 129 - Patiencia Y Fe

    Another grandmother joins us for this installment in our songs about aging, though Abuela Claudia isn't just anyone's grandmother, she is everyone's grandmother. Her solo "Patiencia Y Fe" is one of the standout moments in the standout score of Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakthrough show In the Heights, and Olga Merediz gives it everything she has. All clips are from 2008's In the Heights: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Olga Merediz and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com

  • S1 · E128
    Oct 28, 2025 · 35 min

    Episode 128 - No Time at All

    We're back! We had an illness related delay, which was us being thematic, since illness is part of growing older...yeah, let's go with that. But we are back on track and here to talk about Stephen Schwartz's Pippin. In particular, we're looking at the 2012 revival and Andrea Martin's performance of "No Time at All." Definitely watch the performance for the full effect. You'll be glad you did. All clips are from 2013's Pippin: New Broadway Cast Recording featuring Andrea Martin and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Watch the Performance! Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com

  • S1 · E127
    Oct 1, 2025 · 35 min

    Episode 127 - Sunrise, Sunset

    Out with the new and in with the old! Yes, we're moving from songs about growing up to songs about the act of having grown up, i.e., songs about aging and growing old. We're starting with a song from a show we have been slightly remiss in having only discussed once way back in the early days of our podcast, despite its tremendous popularity and cultural impact. Join us as we talk about "Sunrise, Sunset" from Bock & Harnick's classic Fiddler on the Roof. All clips are from 1971's Fiddler on the Roof: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recording featuring Topol, Norma Crane, and violinist Isaac Stern and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com

  • S1 · E126
    Sep 16, 2025 · 47 min

    Episode 126 - You Will Be Found

    Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy podcast. After 5 years and 125 episodes, we're finally talking about one of the major smashes of the past decade: Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen. Winner of 6 Tonys -- including Best Actor for overnight sensation Ben Platt -- the show has had quite the interesting journey over the past couple of years. So join us as we talk about the DEH phenomenon, highlight the anthemic "You Will Be Found," and try to answer what, if anything, Evan learns as we close out this miniseries on bildungsromans. All clips are from 2017's Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Ben Platt and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com

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