BROADWAY NATION

By: Broadway Podcast Network
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  • Summary

  • A lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process.In Season One, host David Armstrong traces the evolution of American Musical Theater from its birth at the dawn of the 20th Century, through its mid-century “Golden Age”, and right up to its current 21st Century renaissance; and also explore how musicals have reflected and shaped our world -- especially in regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, and equality.
    Broadway Podcast Network
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Art Entertainment & Performing Arts World
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Episodes
  • Episode 173: THE OTHER GERSHWIN — with MICHAEL OWEN, author of IRA GERSHWIN — A LIFE IN WORDS

    Episode 173: THE OTHER GERSHWIN — with MICHAEL OWEN, author of IRA GERSHWIN — A LIFE IN WORDS
    Apr 22 2025
    My guest today is Michael Owen, whose recent book Ira Gershwin—A Life in Words is the first full-length biography devoted to the other Gershwin. In this book, Owen at last brings Ira Gershwin out from behind the long shadow cast by his younger and more famous brother, George. Drawing on extensive archival research, Owen often uses Ira’s own words to create a captivating portrait of a shy and retiring artist who, nevertheless, penned the words for many of the greatest songs of the twentieth century. Michael Owen is a historian, researcher, and archivist. He is the author of Go Slow — The Life of Jule London and the editor of The Gershwins Abroad. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members such as Geoffrey Block. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussion that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. And you will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Encore Episode: Razzle Dazzle: A Brief History of Lighting Design, part 2.

    Encore Episode: Razzle Dazzle: A Brief History of Lighting Design, part 2.
    Apr 20 2025
    This is the second half of this week's Encore presentation of my conversation with Tony-award-winning lighting designer Ken Billington. Last week, Ken received rave reviews for his lighting design of the new Broadway musical SMASH, which amazingly is his 108th Broadway production. So, I thought it was an ideal time to revisit this fascinating conversation about the history of lighting design on Broadway and Ken’s own tremendous contribution to it. If you missed part one you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Color and Light — A Brief History of Broadway Lighting Design with Tony Winner Ken Billington

    Color and Light — A Brief History of Broadway Lighting Design with Tony Winner Ken Billington
    Apr 15 2025
    This is a special encore episode of my 2022 interview with Tony-award-winning lighting designer Ken Billington. This past week, Ken received rave reviews for his lighting design of the new Broadway musical SMASH, which amazingly is his 108th Broadway production. So, I thought it was an ideal time to revisit this fascinating conversation about the history of lighting design on Broadway and Ken’s own tremendous contribution to it. This is a two-part conversation and I will be rereleasing both parts this week. Original Description: My guest on this episode is Tony Award winning lighting designer Ken Billington who created the lighting for an incredible 105 Broadway plays and musicals, including 21 productions that were directed by Harold Prince. Ken’s career spans from his very first Broadway show in 1967 when he was the assistant to legendary lighting designer Tharon Musser, to his most recent Broadway show, the hit musical, Waitress. Along the way, he designed the original productions of Sweeney Todd, On The 20th Century, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Scottsboro Boys, The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In the Universe starring Lily Tomlin, three revivals of Fiddler On The Roof, two revivals of Sunday In The Park with George, and the still running 1996 revival of Chicago for which he received the Tony Award. I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Ken for more than 40 years, and it is always fascinating and always a delight to speak with him. Theatrical lighting design is a very young art form. Its history begins primarily in the early 20th Century -- just as the Broadway musical was being invented. Lighting design’s earliest innovators include the American actress Maude Adams – most famous today for her performance as Peter Pan – and producer, director, playwright, and theater owner David Belasco. One of the recurring themes of this podcast, and one of my obsessions, is how the art and craft of the Broadway Musical have been handed down directly – firsthand – from artists to artists, from craftsperson to craftsperson. Ken Billington’s long career and especially his early experiences as the assistant to the pioneering designers Peggy Clark, Pat Collins, Tom Skelton, William Rittman, and Tharon Musser make him the ideal guest for this episode. And of course, after Ken stopped being an assistant, he eventually became one of Broadway’s most acclaimed and most prolific lighting designers. And we’ll hear the story of how that came about on the next episode of Broadway Nation! You can learn more about Jean Rosenthal, Tharon Musser and other great women lighting designers on Episode 8 of Broadway Nation, which is titled, “Agnes DeMille & The Women That Invented Broadway”. It’s a fascinating episode and I encourage you to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
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Profile Image for B. Winston Sims

I can’t stop listening!

David Armstrong is easy to listen to. The episodes are informative and entertaining. The perspectives and stories are unique and delightful. Every musical theatre fan should be listening. Thank you for this!

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