Putting It Together

Seurat vs Sondheim with Chris Culp

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Although they were never alive at the same time there's some similarities between George Seurat and Stephen Sondheim. Chris Culp joins the podcast to ...

Maybe Sunday's second act isn't necessary – with Gail Leondar-Wright

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout this season I've asked guests whether the second act is needed. All of them have said it is. Now it's time for an alternate opinion. Find o...

"Giants in the Sky: How Sondheim and Lapine Went Into the Woods" with Ben Rimalower

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Rimalower was inspired by James Lapine's book on the creation of Sunday in the Park with George. He hoped to see one made for Into the Woods. When...

Beautiful – Sunday in the Park with George (with Tyler Joseph Ellis)

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pretty isn't beautiful. Tyler Joseph Ellis returns to try and make sense of that lyric and why, perhaps, this is the most important song of Act 1.You ...

We Do Not Belong Together – Sunday in the Park with George (with Christopher Griffith)

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dot decides to move on. Christopher Griffith joins Kyle to discuss Dot's decision and whether her and George should have belonged together.Follow Chri...

The Goodbye Girl (with Tess Robinson) – Sondheim Adjacent

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bernadette Peters starred in The Goodbye Girl during the 1993 Broadway season along with Martin Short. Tess Robinson joins Kyle to discuss the show an...

Finishing the Hat – Sunday in the Park with George (with Shannon Dohar)

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes you get just a little obsessed with creating something that you lose yourself. You also lose those around you. Shannon Dohar returns to try ...

The One on the Left / The Soldier's Song – Sunday in the Park with George (with Christopher Colley)

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Colley is more than suited to discuss the soldier, because he was cast in that role for the 2006 London revival! He joins Kyle to break do...

Everybody Loves Louis – Sunday in the Park with George (with Matt Koplik)

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dot has moved on. Or has she? Matt Koplik returns to the podcast to discuss trying to get your lover to listen to you rather than just look at you. Pl...

The Day Off – Sunday in the Park with George (with Will C. White)

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There certainly are a lot of dogs in this park. Will White returns to talk about the origins of this sequence, Mandy Patinkin's voice work, and some o...

The Princess Bride (1987) – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps Mandy Patinkin's most famous movie role is The Princess Bride. Listen to why Kyle thinks this is a perfect film. Except for one small moment.S...

Gossip – Sunday in the Park with George (with Adrianna Boris)

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

They say that George has another woman. But is that true? Adrianna Boris returns to discuss what benefits gossip has and if there's anything specific ...

Color and Light – Sunday in the Park with George (with Colm Molloy)

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the first time we get to hear George sing in the show. What do we learn about him? Colm Molloy returns to the podcast to offer his ideas about...

No Life – Sunday in the Park with George (with Kevin Morris)

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the purpose of critics? Kevin Morris of Staged Right joins the podcast to try and answer that question, why it's fun to be mean sometimes, and...

Sunday in the Park with George (song) with Philémon Heutte

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our new season about Sunday in the Park with George starts off with a bang! Philémon Heutte returns to discuss George Seurat, how this show got made,...

Sunday in the Park with George – Trailer

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Sondheim was ready to quit the theatre when he met James Lapine. They create a Pulitzer Prize winning musical called Sunday in the Park with G...

Camp (2003) with Aidan White – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Decided by Patreon! Sondheim has had a handful of cameos in film and TV over the decades. None more surprising, perhaps, than the 2003 film Camp. Aida...

Threes in A Little Night Music with Steve Bell – Sondheim Revisited

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Little Night Music is considered Sondheim's waltz musical. Steve Bell returns to explain how Sondheim uses threes throughout the score in fascinatin...

"I Never Do Anything Twice" with Witti Repartee – Sondheim Revisited

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a song that appears for only a few seconds in a movie but has grown to have a life of its own. Witti Repartee joins Kyle to discuss double entend...

"Ah, But Underneath" with Shoshana Greenberg – Sondheim Revisited

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who is the real Phyllis? Shoshana Greenberg joins Kyle to discuss the song that Sondheim wrote for the London production of Follies. Topics include: s...

"By the Sea" with Jonathan Chisolm – Sondheim Revisited

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mrs. Lovett has convinced herself that things are going to turn out alright by the sea. Jonathan Chisolm isn't so sure. They rejoin the podcast to dis...

"The Ladies Who Lunch" with Isy Abraham-Raveson – Sondheim Revisited

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There were a bunch of political events happening in the early 70s when Company debuted. Isy Abraham-Raveson joins Kyle to discuss how this song works ...

Spanish Company with Juan Carlos Guízar – Sondheim Adjacent

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Antonio Banderas has decided to bring challenging musical theatre to Spain. Therefore a translation of Company has been made and received positive res...

Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2016) with Luke Crichton

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2016 a documentary was released, directed by Lonny Price, about the history of Merrily We Roll Along. Luke Crichton returns to talk with Kyle about...

Four Merrily Recordings (with Jake Nielsen)

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are four easily accessible recordings of Merrily We Roll Along. Lyricist and filmmaker Jake Nielsen joins Kyle to go through each of them and di...

Merrily's Cut Songs (with Edward Crouse)

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A handful of songs were written for Merrily We Roll Along but eventually cut. This episode focuses on three of those: Darling, Thank You For Coming, a...

The Hills of Tomorrow – Merrily We Roll Along (with Chris Dockum)

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the original production this song provided the bookends to the show. Chris Dockum returns to discuss why it was a mistake to remove it from the beg...

Annie Golden – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Annie Golden was in the first production of Assassins. But she's also had a career in film, television, and on-stage. Annie performs on the latest edi...

Our Time – Merrily We Roll Along (with Emily Clark)

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The characters are young and hopeful about the future, but we the audience know exactly how their lives are going to turn out. Emily Clark returns to ...

Opening Doors – Merrily We Roll Along (with Tyler Joseph Ellis)

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a mini-play near the end of Act 2 that shows a group of passionate artists just trying to scrape by and hoping for a big break. Tyler Joseph Elli...

Bobby and Jackie and Jack – Merrily We Roll Along (with Karen Unland)

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's get into the weeds about the Kennedy family. Karen Unland returns to the podcast to discuss American dynasties, and how Sondheim uses references...

Good Thing Going – Merrily We Roll Along (with Matt Steele)

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A beautiful song about relationships. But is this also about Charlie and Frank? Matt Steele returns to offer his opinions and tells why this is in his...

Lady Bird (2017) with Sam Herriman – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Greta Gerwig's film LADY BIRD has the main character audition for Merrily We Roll Along. Sam Herriman joins Kyle to discuss the movie, the relationshi...

The Blob – Merrily We Roll Along (with Erik Stadnik)

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"The Blob" is filled with sycophants, but also taste makers. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss the purpose of this scene within the show and whether it'...

It's a Hit! – Merrily We Roll Along (with Michael Price)

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Merrily We Roll Along certainly wasn't a hit in its original run. Within the show Frank and Charlie get early success and are giddy about it. Michael ...

Entr'acte / Gussie's Opening Number – Merrily We Roll Along (with Shannon Dohar)

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe the moon is cheese? Shannon Dohar returns to try and make sense of how Act 2 of Merrily We Roll Along starts. You can listen to Shannon's podcas...

Jim Walton

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Walton was the original Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along. He talks with Kyle about getting to New York, landing this iconic role, and his...

Ann Morrison

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ann Morrison originated the role of Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along. She joins Kyle to discuss how she got to audition for both Hal Prince and Ste...

Ted Chapin on "Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies" – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ted Chapin literally wrote the book on Follies! He joins Kyle to discuss the show that had such a formative impact on him, and gets into the new after...

Terry Finn

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Terry Finn played the role of Gussie in the original production of Merrily We Roll Along. She talks to Kyle about coming to New York, being cast in th...

Now You Know – Merrily We Roll Along (with Nathan Beary Blustein)

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Frank's old friends give him advice, but his new friends persuade him to choose a different path. Nathan Beary Blustein joins Kyle to discuss the end ...

Not a Day Goes By – Merrily We Roll Along (with Christine Chen)

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Not a Day Goes By" appears twice in the show, but its meaning is vastly different. Christine Chen returns to discuss how the song also changes whethe...

Growing Up – Merrily We Roll Along (with Lucas Rougeux)

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Should Frank abandon his old friends like his old dreams? Maybe that's what old friends are all about. Lucas Rougeux returns to figure out if Gussie i...

Old Friends – Merrily We Roll Along (with Ashley Pribyl)

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Frank, Charlie, and Mary get on the same page, at least for a while. Ashley Pribyl returns to the show to discuss whose side she's on and why her old ...

Franklin Shepard, Inc – Merrily We Roll Along (with Richard Brown)

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Frank and Charlie's relationship implodes. Richard Brown joins Kyle to discuss the fun rhymes, the hidden meanings, and old tuna commercials. You can ...

Like It Was – Merrily We Roll Along (with Adrianna Boris)

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doesn't everyone want to go back to how it was? Adrianna Boris returns to discuss being drunk, using metaphors, and the effects of nostalgia. You can ...

First to Seventh Transition – Merrily We Roll Along (with Colm Molloy)

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are seven transitions in Merrily We Roll Along and each of them is different! Colm Molloy returns to discuss how they work within the narrative ...

Side by Side by Sondheim with Vanessa Paradis, Geoffrey Doig-Marx, and Mardie Millit – Sondheim Adjacent

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A new production of Side by Side by Sondheim is happening at the Triad Theater in New York. Producer and performer Vanessa Paradis, director Geoffrey ...

Building sets with Mark Murphy – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Murphy accidentally started a career in theatre. Not on-stage, but the actual construction of sets. He joins Kyle to tell how he combined his lov...

That Frank – Merrily We Roll Along (with Will C. White)

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who is Frank? In a song that was written to replace "Rich and Happy" we get to hear more from people Frank now surrounds himself with. Will C. White r...

Rich and Happy – Merrily We Roll Along (with Chris Lewis)

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who wouldn't be singing if they were rich and happy? But maybe Franklin Shepard isn't all he's claiming to be. Chris Lewis joins Kyle to explore the o...

Merrily We Roll Along (song) – with Juan Carlos Guízar

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a song that sets the stage for how the show is going to work. It also introduces the melody for when the musical goes back in time. Juan Carlos G...

Overture – Merrily We Roll Along & additional backstory (with Eric Matthew Richardson)

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's considered one of the best overtures in all of musical theatre. Eric Matthew Richardson returns to the show to discuss how the overture sets the ...

Music Analysis of Merrily We Roll Along with Steve Bell – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Bell returns to deconstruct what Sondheim is doing in the score of Merrily We Roll Along. There are themes that are reused throughout, sometime...

Merrily We Roll Along trailer

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our next season is all about the flop known as Merrily We Roll Along. But should it actually be considered a failure? Joins us over the next few month...

"Someone is Waiting" with Diep Tran – Sondheim Revisited

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who isn't on the lookout for someone loyal as Harry, loving as Paul, cute as Jamie, happy as Peter, and handsome as Larry? To make sense of all of tha...

"In Buddy's Eyes" with Matt Koplik – Sondheim Revisited

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Buddy's Eyes is truly an actor's song. Matt Koplik returns to discuss Follies, how to deal with morally grey characters, and the wonderful Dorothy ...

"If Momma Was Married" with Luisa Lyons – Sondheim Revisited

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let me entertain you! Well, let Luisa and Kyle entertain you by discussing "If Momma Was Married" from Gypsy. What does it tell us about these charact...

"Could I Leave You" with Jesse McAnally – Sondheim Revisited

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Phyllis completely eviscerates her husband. Jesse McAnally joins Kyle to discuss Follies, terrible relationships, and the fascinating rhymes from "Cou...

Rob Berman, Music Director of Into the Woods – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Berman has spent the last 15 years primarily looking at older musicals and how to update them for a modern audience. He joins Kyle to discuss talk...

"I'm Still Here" with Emily Clark – Sondheim Revisited

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who better to sing a song about legacy than Elaine Stritch? Emily Clark joins Kyle in discussing Follies, Stritch, and a bunch of 1930s pop culture. Y...

"A Weekend in the Country" with Marc Bonanni – Sondheim Revisited

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it the best Act 1 finale ever? Marc Bonanni joins Kyle to discuss the incredible lyrics inside of "A Weekend in the Country" and also has time to o...

Reds (1981) with Will C. White

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Sondheim wrote a love theme, "Goodbye For Now," for the movie Reds. Will C. White returns to discuss the fascinating production of the film an...

Sweeney Todd (2007) with Luke Crichton

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The film adaptation of Sweeney Todd was released in 2007, directed by Tim Burton. Sondheim loved it, but it has divided fans ever since it came out. L...

Jeff Harnar's album "I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim's Words" – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It took a few decades for Jeff Harnar not to feel intimidated to sing Sondheim's songs. He tells Kyle how he became fascinated with performing, when h...

Sweeney Todd all the recordings

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sweeney Todd has been done MANY times. Kyle goes through all the official recordings he could find, plus all the video recordings that are available. ...

Final Sequence – Sweeney Todd (with Margaret Hall)

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Final Sequence reprises many of the songs from Sweeney Todd in a macabre ending. Maragaret Hall returns to offer her perspective on what gets repr...

Parlor Songs – Sweeney Todd (with Colm Molloy)

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Beadle decides to sing soprano while Mrs. Lovett desperately tries to get him to leave. Hopefully Colm Molloy, who is returning to the podcast, is...

Not While I'm Around – Sweeney Todd (with Matthew Conway)

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Toby wants to save Mrs. Lovett, but does Mrs. Lovett care about Toby? Matthew Conway joins Kyle to discuss that, whether Toby should be played by chil...

By the Sea – Sweeney Todd (with Michael Price)

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This one deserves a little kiss. Michael Price returns to discuss the character of Mrs. Lovett, how different this song is after you know the ending, ...

How Leonard Bernstein Created the West Side Story Score (with Steve Bell) – Sondheim Adjacent

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Leonard Bernstein started with a specific instrument, and then by utilizing a tritone was able to create the entire score for West Side Story. Steve B...

Johanna 3 – Sweeney Todd (with Michael Vecchio)

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the third time a song called Johanna appears in the Sweeney Todd score. Does it tell us anything new about the characters? Michael Vecchio return...

God, That's Good! – Sweeney Todd (with Ashley Pribyl)

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we went for intermission Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett were making jokes about cooking people into pies. Now as we open Act 2 it seems like that's ...

Phil Geoffrey Bond "Sondheim Unplugged"

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Phil Geoffrey Bond fell in love with the theatre at a very young age. Over the past couple of decades he's created an amazing body of work in his role...

Joel Fram – Musical Director and Supervisor of Company on Broadway

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Fram is currently conducting the orchestra for Company on Broadway! This new production, directed by Marianne Elliott, has made the bold choice t...

Mark Eden Horowitz "The Letters of Oscar Hammerstein II" – Sondheim Adjacent

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Eden Horowitz is the editor of a new book called "The Letters of Oscar Hammerstein II." Kyle talks with Mark about Oscar being Sondheim's mentor,...

A Little Priest – Sweeney Todd (with Cindy Liu)

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is this the perfect way to end Act One? It's certainly a memorable and provocative way to do it. Who doesn't like a little cannibal based humour? Cind...

Epiphany – Sweeney Todd (with Shannon Dohar)

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What sudden realization is Sweeney Todd coming to? And how does that affect the rest of the show. Shannon Dohar joins Kyle to figure that out and marv...

Pretty Women – Sweeney Todd (with Stephanie Lim)

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Judge and Sweeney finally meet! But does everything go as planned? Stephanie Lim joins Kyle in discovering how this song plays with the audience's...

Ladies in Their Sensitivities – Sweeney Todd (with Matt Steele)

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is the Beadle the absolute worst? Matt Steele helps Kyle figure that out! Plus a discussion on even when there's multiple people singing there's an ex...

Travis Moser "So Many People: The Sondheim Sessions" – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Travis Moser adores cabaret. He joins Kyle to discuss why, how he came to love musical theatre, and which Sondheim songs he enjoys singing the most. C...

Kiss Me – Sweeney Todd (with Philémon Heutte)

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just like the birds she sings to, Johanna flits around trying to figure out how to escape. Will a kiss from Anthony fix anything? Philémon Heutte ret...

Wait – Sweeney Todd (with Shane Wilson)

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A song about delayed gratification. Shane Wilson joins Kyle to discuss how this song doesn't seem to be important until it's revealed how important it...

Johanna 2 – Sweeney Todd (with Will C. White)

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This song is messed up. Will C. White returns to try and make sense of it.William's podcast The Classical Gabfest: https://cgf.buzzsprout.comWilliam's...

The Contest – Sweeney Todd (with Jonathan Chisolm)

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pirelli makes his entrance with a flourish! Now he has to prove that he's as good as he says he is. Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss the effectiven...

Pirelli's Miracle Elixir – Sweeney Todd (with Matt Koplik)

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How can you possibly rhyme anything with elixir? Sondheim found a way! Matt Koplik returns to discuss why this song is so fun and what it tells us abo...

Eleri Ward – Sondheim Adjacent

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eleri Ward released an album of Sondheim covers called A Perfect Little Death. She joins Kyle for a quick chat about how she found success, her love o...

Johanna 1 – Sweeney Todd (with Matthew Sampson)

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The first time a song named Johanna happens in Sweeney Todd it's sung by Anthony. He loves Johanna, but why are there those discordant notes? Is his l...

Ah, Miss – Sweeney Todd (with Luke Crichton)

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony is back! He sees Johanna and falls in love immediately. Luke Crichton joins the podcast to discuss how this song tells us a lot about Anthony ...

Green Finch and Linnet Bird – Sweeney Todd (with Christine Chen)

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Johanna feels like a caged bird. But is she just a character that is meant to be saved? Christine Chen returns to the show to discuss that and why Son...

My Friends – Sweeney Todd (with Thom Sesma)

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is Sweeney really that lonely that his only friends are a his razors? Thom Sesma returns to try and answer that question. Thom also uses his past with...

Tick, Tick... Boom! – Sondheim Adjacent (with Eric Matthew Richardson)

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Sondheim plays a huge role in the film Tick, Tick... Boom! Eric Matthew Richardson returns to discuss why teachers are important and whether t...

Poor Thing – Sweeney Todd (with Margaret Hall)

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After Mrs Lovett reveals she makes the worst pies in London she settles down to tell Sweeney the story about his wife. But how does she know? Margaret...

The Worst Pies in London – Sweeney Todd (with Lucas Rougeux)

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mrs. Lovett is one of the all time best theatre characters. Lucas Rougeux joins Kyle to discuss this iconic character and how the song Worst Pies in L...

The Barber and His Wife – Sweeney Todd (with Karen Unland)

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The rebuttal to No Place Like London. Karen Unland returns to discuss Sweeney Todd's worldview and how this song has echoes throughout the show. You c...

No Place Like London – Sweeney Todd (with Adrianna Boris)

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? An Anthony or a Sweeney? Adrianna Boris joins Kyle to discuss the first song that advances the story in Sweeney To...

Leonard Bernstein – Sondheim Adjacent (with William C. White)

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Sondheim was good friends with Leonard Bernstein. In this Sondheim Adjacent episode William White returns to help Kyle understand exactly how ...

The Ballads of Sweeney Todd (with Taylor Darden)

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Ballad of Sweeney Todd starts off the show but then it's returned to a few times throughout. Taylor Darden joins Kyle to discus how this sets the ...

The Sweeney Todd Backstory

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To set the stage Kyle reads the first chapter of the original tale of Sweeney Todd, then explores the inspirations for the music that will be discusse...

Sweeney Todd trailer

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trailer for the upcoming Sweeney Todd season of Putting It Together. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★