Putting It Together

West Side Story (2021) with Jennifer Sanford

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new film of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg, just came out in theatres. Kyle and Jenn went to the movies and are now going to tell y...

Somewhere – West Side Story Redux (with Christine Chen)

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a place for us? Christine Chen helps end this mini-series by discussing a song that's been used for many different purposes and covered by al...

I Feel Pretty – West Side Story Redux (with Christine Chen)

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn't want to feel pretty, witty, and gay? Christine Chen continues talking with Kyle about the legacy of West Side Story and how this song in p...

In Memoriam: Stephen Sondheim

27 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I cried a lot last night and this morning. Here's the best I could do.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Tonight Quintet – West Side Story Redux (with Christine Chen)

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A triumphant song before tragedy strikes. Christine Chen joins Kyle to talk about how this song came together and how it both positively and negativel...

America – West Side Story Redux (with Christine Chen)

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.comChristine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArchChristine's podcast, Bottomless Broadway: h...

Maria – West Side Story Redux (with Christine Chen)

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What else would you sing about when you only know their name? Christine Chen joins Kyle to kickoff a mini-series devoted to looking back at West Side ...

Four West Side Story recordings (with Zina Lee)

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many different recordings of West Side Story. So let's talk about four of them! Zina Lee returns to discuss the musical, the recordings, ...

Evita – Sondheim Adjacent

31 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Harold Prince collaborated with Sondheim a lot. He also directed Evita. In this, our first Sondheim Adjacent episode, Kyle talks about his history wit...

Liaisons – Sondheim Redux (with Colm Molloy)

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone is saving the good wine for their own funeral right? Colm Molloy returns to discuss Madame Armfeldt's dalliances with the aristocracy. You ca...

Being Alive – Sondheim Redux (with William C. White)

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

William White returns and gives his alternate reading on the song Being Alive. Is it possible that there could be a better way to end the show?William...

Lovely – Sondheim Redux (with Zina Lee)

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to put on a toga again. Zina Lee returns to break down the two times Lovely shows up in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. They...

Rose's Turn – Sondheim Redux (with Eric Matthew Richardson)

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Although credited with only writing the lyrics, could Sondheim have had a larger influence on this song? Eric Matthew Richardson returns to discuss wh...

Me and My Town – Sondheim Redux (with Matt Steele)

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Steele returns to kickoff our miniseries on songs we've talked about before. Let's call it Sondheim Redux! In this episode Matt insists that Cora...

I Never Do Anything Twice – The Seven Per Cent Solution (with William C. White)

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hidden within an obscure 70s film is a song written by Stephen Sondheim. It's sung by a Madame and it's delightfully dirty. Will White returns to talk...

Three Pacific Overtures recordings (with Colm Molloy)

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Every recording of a musical is slightly different. Colm Molloy returns to discuss how each album of Pacific Overtures brings something new and which ...

Cut Songs from Pacific Overtures

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle discusses all three cut songs from Pacific Overtures.You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat, by going here: ...

Next – Pacific Overtures (with Erik Stadnik)

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A song about always looking forward, no matter what your past is. Erik Stadnik returns to provide some insight into the final song of Pacific Overture...

Pretty Lady – Pacific Overtures (with Ashley Pribyl)

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley Pribyl returns to show this song in particular is the bridge between A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. But she also talks with Kyle about ...

A Bowler Hat – Pacific Overtures (with Sam Simahk)

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A perfect musical theatre experience. A Bowler Hat is a song that not only explains the theme of Pacific Overtures but also is one of the best stage s...

Please Hello – Pacific Overtures (with Donatella Galella)

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Japan is opening up. But what do the other nations have to say about that? Donatella Galella comes on to discuss history, Asian representation, and al...

Someone in a Tree – Pacific Overtures (with Thom Sesma)

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sondheim says this is his favourite song that he's written. Thom Sesma has actually performed this song on-stage. He joins Kyle to deconstruct the son...

Welcome to Kanagawa – Pacific Overtures (with Matt Koplik)

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yo ho! Matt Koplik joins Kyle to discuss fan art, double entendres, and why Sondheim doesn't think this song is funny. You can listen to Broadway Brea...

Poems – Pacific Overtures (with Christine Chen)

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of friends walk together and make up fake haikus to pass the time. Christine Chen returns to give insight into the song and the legacy of Pac...

The Music of Pacific Overtures (with William C. White)

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Will White returns to discuss the orchestrations of Pacific Overtures. He answers questions about why there's such a distinctive sound and how Sondhei...

Alvin Ing – An Interview

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The song Chrysanthemum Tea was written specifically for Alvin Ing to perform in Pacific Overtures. He joins Kyle to discuss his time with the show (tw...

Chrysanthemum Tea – Pacific Overtures (with Zina Lee)

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is the Shogun's mother trying to help her son, or is she seeking vengeance? Zina Lee returns to discuss the performance, lyrics, and history of Chrysa...

Four Black Dragons – Pacific Overtures (with Danielle Breitstein)

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are they dragons or are they volcanoes? Danielle Breitstein joins Kyle to discuss the story of this song and how it's melody stays important through t...

There Is No Other Way – Pacific Overtures (with Chris Dockum)

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A tragic song about what can be said out loud and what needs to be kept to yourself. Chris Dockum joins Kyle to discuss why it's two unknown character...

The Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the Sea – Pacific Overtures (with Rob Urbinati)

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The opening song to Pacific Overtures. Is it meant to be an explanation of the idyllic world Japan was in, or is it a warning about he dangers of isol...

Pacific Overtures trailer

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Frogs: Act 2 (with Justin Havard)

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Listen. It's just frogs. Justin Havard joins Kyle to discuss the history of this show, reports on a friend of his who was at the original Yale product...

The Frogs: Act 1 (with Jonathan Chisolm)

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this case it is a couple of hippy-dippy homosexuals talking about some hoity-toity intellectuals. Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss the history o...

The 10 Best Sondheim Songs – 1970 to 1975

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn't like a list (song)? In this special episode Kyle goes through his 10 favourite Sondheim songs which were released from 1970 until the end ...

Kurt Peterson – An Interview

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kurt Peterson was in the original production of Follies. But he also was in the second West Side Story revival and starred as Bobby in the first Canad...

This World / Sheep Song – Candide (with Brendan Clifford)

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We finish talking about Candide this week. First is a song with reworked lyrics from Sondheim, and second is a song written for a sheep. Brendan Cliff...

Life is Happiness Indeed / Auto-Da-Fé – Candide (with Philémon Heutte)

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sondheim returned to a collaboration with Leonard Bernstein. Candide is a Frankenstein's monster of a production. Luckily Philémon Heutte is up to th...

Stavisky (with William C. White)

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stavisky is a movie, directed by Alain Resnais, that's also scored by Stephen Sondheim. William White returns to dive into what makes a great film sco...

The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia (with Rick Pender)

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rick Pender literally wrote the book on Stephen Sondheim. The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia is being released tomorrow and Rick dropped by to talk abo...

Ramona Mallory – An Interview

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ramona Mallory played Anne in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music. In this episode she talks about why she became an actress, how special A L...

A Little Night Music movie (1977) with David Youn

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The film version of A Little Night Music came out in 1977. David Youn returns to discuss what it did well and why it's not remembered very fondly.Chec...

A Little Night Music cut songs

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There were six songs cut from A Little Night Music. Kyle talks about such numbers as "Bang!" "Two Fairy Tales" and "My Husband the Pig." He might even...

Four different A Little Night Music recordings (with Matt Steele)

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Steele joins Kyle to discuss four different recordings of A Little Night Music. Which songs are the best on each record? What surprising mashup s...

Send in the Clowns – A Little Night Music (with Ashley Pribyl)

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isn't it bliss? Don't you approve? It's time to talk about Send in the Clowns! Ashley Pribyl returns to discuss Sondheim's most popular song.Follow As...

The Miller's Son – A Little Night Music (with Jared O'Roark)

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Petra gets to take centre stage to give her opinions on life and love. Jared O'Roark shares his personal history with this song. Then Kyle and Jared d...

It Would Have Been Wonderful / Perpetual Anticipation – A Little Night Music (with Eric Matthew Richardson)

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Matthew Richardson returns! This time to discuss two songs from Act 2 of A Little Night Music. The first has two men preening like peacocks. The ...

Night Waltz 1 & Night Waltz 2 – A Little Night Music (with William C. White)

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Also know as "The Sun Won't Set" and "The Sun Sits Low" respectively. William C. White returns to discuss the quintet, 24 hour daytime, and (of course...

Matthew Gardiner; director of Simply Sondheim

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Gardiner has been the Associate Artistic Director of Signature Theatre since 2010. Signature Theatre has devoted itself to continuing Sondheim...

Anyone Can Whistle: The First Complete Recording (with Joel DeCandio)

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

JAY Records has released a complete recording of Anyone Can Whistle after 25 years in production! Joel DeCandio returns to discuss why this is album i...

A Weekend in the Country – A Little Night Music (with Colm Molloy)

27 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Weekend in the Country was Sondheim's attempt at perfecting the complex story song. Colm Molloy returns to discuss whether it works, the end of Act ...

Every Day a Little Death – A Little Night Music (with Karen Unland)

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No doubt living with Carl Magnus every day does feel like a little death. Karen Unland returns to try and understand the character of Charlotte, if th...

In Praise of Women – A Little Night Music (with Adrianna Boris)

13 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A pig of a man singing about why women are merely objects to be enjoyed by men. Adrianna Boris returns to discuss Carl Magnus, misogyny, and that beau...

Liaisons – A Little Night Music (with Jackson Cooper)

06 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Liaisons. What's happened to them? In this episode Jackson Cooper joins Kyle to try and figure that out. This song just may be the secret to understan...

You Must Meet My Wife – A Little Night Music (with Celina Reynes)

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the funniest song in the entire score, You Must Meet My Wife shows how clueless Frederick is and how petty Desiree seems to be. Celina Reynes ...

Remember? – A Little Night Music (with Christine Chen)

23 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we see an ex and flashes of memory come to us. That's what this song does as Frederick and Desiree lock eyes with one another. But how true ...

The Glamorous Life – A Little Night Music (with Brian Holcomb and Joel Perkin)

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Glamorous Life is a song where Desiree's daughter sings about Desiree's supposed fancy profession. In reality Desiree is just tired. Kyle is tired...

Now, Later, Soon – A Little Night Music (with Daniel Bund)

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Now, Later, and Soon are a triplet of songs that introduce us to three different characters. At the end all the songs converge to reveal the fears and...

Overture and Night Waltz / Love Takes Time – A Little Night Music

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Little Night Music opens up in quite the unique way. A set of four people sing the melody of a couple of songs in the score. It's an experiment that...

Smiles of a Summer Night (with David Youn)

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We start our season looking at the inspiration that led to A Little Night Music. Smiles of a Summer Night is sometimes considered Ingmar Bergman's fir...

Season 8 Trailer – A Little Night Music

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Now, I can't tell you how excited I am for the new season. Later next week you'll get to hear it. It'll be here soon enough. A new season of Putting I...

The Last of Sheila (with Erik Stadnik)

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Last of Sheila is a cult classic film co-written by Stephen Sondheim. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss the inspiration, the execution, and the rece...

Which Follies album is the best?

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There has been over a dozen major productions of Follies. Some have released an album version of the show. Kyle takes the time to listen to all the al...

Follies – Songs That Didn't Make the Cut

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Follies is full of songs. But that doesn't mean that certain tunes didn't get cut during the creative process. On this episode Kyle details the 10 son...

Live, Laugh, Love – Follies (with William C. White)

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's not exactly the play where everything goes wrong, but it feels like it! Ben tries to put on a smiling face, dance, and be charming but the show i...

Make the Most of Your Music – Follies (with Colm Molloy)

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The 1987 London version of Follies decided to change how the show ended. Out was the original ending of Live, Laugh, Love and instead was this song. C...

Ah, But Underneath – Follies (with Celina Reynes)

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Depending on the actress that is cast as Phyllis she might be asked to perform The Story of Lucy and Jessie or this song. This is a burlesque strip te...

The Story of Lucy and Jessie – Follies (with Victoria Gordon)

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for Phyllis to shine! Should she be more like Jessie or Lucy? You see it's not that easy. Victoria Gordon returns to educate Kyle about what...

Losing My Mind – Follies (with Ashley Pribyl)

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This song is deceptively simple. There is a richness to it both musically and thematically in the show. Ashley Pribyl returns to offer insight and tel...

Buddy's Blues (aka The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues) – Follies (with David Heineman)

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We have entered the pscyho Follies. Buddy is up first to sing about what is driving him mad. David Heineman returns to explore Buddy's psyche, talking...

You're Gonna Love Tomorrow / Love Will See Us Through – Follies (with Matthew Sampson)

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is the only time the younger versions of the four main characters get to sing a song. Is the jaunty melody actually a sign that their relationshi...

Loveland – Follies (with Steve Johnson)

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is Loveland a collective mental breakdown, or is there something deeper going on? Steve Johnson joins Kyle to discuss MGM musicals and the idea that t...

Could I Leave You – Follies (with Darby Turnbull)

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Phyllis deserves more love! Both in the show and from general audiences. In this song she delivers withering barbs to her husband Ben. But could she a...

One More Kiss – Follies (with Marco DeNinis)

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One More Kiss was cut from the original Broadway cast album. That's a shame because it just might be the most thematically rich song of the entire sho...

The Right Girl – Follies (with Isaac Bernier-Doyle)

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Buddy is mad. He dreams of being with the right girl. But who is that right girl? Isaac Bernier-Doyle returns to discuss Margie, delusions, and dad's ...

David Möschler – An Interview

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Möschler is a conductor and musical director. He's also the founder of Awesöme Orchestra Collective. In this "intermission" from Follies David...

Too Many Mornings – Follies (with Mackenzie Horner, co-host of Before the Downbeat)

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I'm so content spending time with you! Mackenzie Horner (of the Before the Downbeat podcast) joins Kyle to discuss people lying while singing. But als...

I'm Still Here – Follies (with Alex Stuive)

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it's good times or bum times it's still fun to sit around and talk about this song that can often steal the show. I'm Still Here is a song tha...

Who's That Woman? – Follies (with Karen Unland)

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is this a throwaway song or does it offer some subtext to the dissolving relationships within the show? Karen Unland returns to discuss weary women an...

In Buddy's Eyes – Follies (with Christine Chen)

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's Sally's turn to lie about herself. Christine Chen returns to discuss where Sally's headspace is currently at in the show and whether she was ever...

Country House – Follies (with Adrianna Boris)

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Country House is a song that was written specifically for the 1987 London version of Follies. Does it add to the show? Or is it simply an interesting ...

The Road You Didn't Take – Follies (with Anna Hulkower & Tim Kov; hosts of My Little Tonys)

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ben must confront the decisions he's made, but is he being truthful? Anna Hulkower and Tim Kov (hosts of My Little Tonys) return to the show to unpack...

Rain on the Roof / Ah, Paris! / Broadway Baby – Follies (with Jonathan Chisolm)

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Couples kissing, French women reminiscing, and Broadway dames schlepping. Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss a triplet of songs that showcase Sondhei...

Waiting For the Girls Upstairs – Follies (with Hugh Summers)

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Waiting For the Girls Upstairs is a song packed with plot. Kyle invites on Hugh Summers, a theatre producer in England, to explore both the upstairs a...

Don't Look At Me – Follies (with Bruno Apresentação)

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sally sees her old lover, Ben, and becomes a nervous wreck. Kyle invites on Bruno Apresentação to discuss Sally's first song and how Sondheim is ada...

Prologue / Beautiful Girls – Follies (with William C. White)

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Here they come, those beautiful fools. William C. White returns to the show to discuss Sondheim's influence in writing slow waltzes, the original song...

Season 7 Trailer – Follies

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don't worry! You're not losing your mind. I'm still here. A new season of Putting It Together debuts next Wednesday (May 20) all about the musical Fol...

Being Alive – Company (with Eric Matthew Richardson)

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is what its all been leading to. Being Alive is the culmination of the entire show. Eric Matthew Richardson returns to discuss being held too tig...

"Losing My Mind: A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream" *BONUS EPISODE* (with Joshua Hinck and Scott Wasserman)

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You might think that disco and Sondheim don't go together. But Joshua Hinck and Scott Wasserman are two of the collaborators that put together a fusio...

The Ballad of Buzz Cola (with Michael Price)

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Price is a writer for The Simpsons and the creator of F Is for Family. He joins Kyle to discuss one of the most important (if not THE most imp...

The Ladies Who Lunch – Company (with Jonathan Chisolm)

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Here's to the crowd that just listens! Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss Elaine Stritch, Mahler, and the girls who just watch. Plus a great discussi...

Barcelona – Company (with Alex Luber)

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is Barcelona an example of masculine apathy, or is Bobby actually trying to find a connection? Alex Luber joins Kyle to discuss that and some of the o...

Poor Baby / Tick Tock – Company (with Adrianna Boris)

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maternalistic worries, dance breaks, and hot sex. That about sums up Poor Baby and Tick Tock. Two songs which are intertwined with each other. Adriann...

Side by Side by Side – Company (with Ashley Pribyl)

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Act 2 of Company opens with an ode to vaudeville. Dr. Ashley Pribyl joins Kyle to discuss how this upbeat song is actually incredibly sad. And what do...

Victoria Gordon – An Interview

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Victoria Gordon will be starring in Sondheim on Sunday: A 90th Birthday Salute. Victoria is an acclaimed performer, director, and producer based out o...

Marry Me a Little – Company (with Darby Turnbull)

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How, exactly, do you marry someone a little? That's what Darby Turnbull and Kyle discuss in this last song of Act One. It seems like Bobby's delusions...

Getting Married Today – Company (with Hallie Casey)

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A wedding day can be stressful. The character Amy decides to sing through her anxiety as fast as she possibly can. Kyle is joined by Hallie Casey to d...

Another Hundred People – Company (with Matthew Sampson)

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

By bus, train, or plane people keep coming to New York. Matthew Sampson joins Kyle to discuss a song that was written for a specific performer but hid...

Someone Is Waiting – Company (with Federico Tedeschi)

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Someone Is Waiting contains foreshadowing for a couple of songs that appear in Company later in the show. Federico Tedeschi returns to explain why thi...

Have I Got a Girl For You – Company (with Matt McClendon)

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A bunch of guys try to convince Bobby to tell them about his sexual conquests. But maybe there's more to this song than that? Matt McClendon joins Kyl...

You Could Drive a Person Crazy – Company (with Christine Chen)

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No bulls needed to be coerced in the recording of this podcast. Christine Chen returns to unpack the word "crazy" and discuss if changing the original...