So Much Stuff to Sing
A podcast about the American Musical. Hosted by Shannon in New York and Erik in Prague; twice monthly.
info_outline
Episode 96 - Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
05/15/2024
Episode 96 - Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Time for a new miniseries! This time, we're looking at songs originally from Broadway shows that found a greater life outside of them as anthems. Anthems of movements, times, places, industries -- Broadway has given us many anthems over the years. Arguably one of its earliest is one that everyone knows but may not know that it originated in a Broadway show: "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" by Y.E. Harburgh and Jay Gorney. The song, written for a 1932 revue called Americana appropriately enough, quickly became an anthem of the Great Depression and has maintained its status ever since. All clips are from 2004's Broadway: The American Musical featuring Bing Crosby 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.: Erik adores this documentary and strongly recommends it for anyone who wants to sounds smart about Broadway history.) Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/31309137
info_outline
Episode 95 - It's a Hit
05/02/2024
Episode 95 - It's a Hit
Well, it's that time again -- time to say goodbye to Sondheim for another year. But we're going out with a wide-ranging and multi-faceted discussion of all things Merrily We Roll Along centered around one of the only purely happy songs in the show: "It's a Hit." All clips are from 1982's Merrily We Roll Along: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Lonny Price as Charley Kringas, Jim Walton as Franklin Shepard, Ann Morrison as Mary Flynn, and Jason Alexander as Joe Josephson 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/31092558
info_outline
Episode 94 - Now You Know
04/15/2024
Episode 94 - Now You Know
For the first time in over 4 years and 90 episodes (!), we return to Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim's greatest flop and now one of the biggest hits on Broadway. We'll looking at Merrily for our next two episodes, actually, since it has multiple songs that fit this miniseries quite nicely. First up, we have the Act 1 closing number, "Now You Know." All clips are from 2023's Merrily We Roll Along: New Broadway Cast Recording featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas, Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard, and Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/30828608
info_outline
Episode 93 - Someone in a Tree
03/31/2024
Episode 93 - Someone in a Tree
We're continuing our miniseries on Sondheim's conversation songs. This episode, we ask a very simple question: can a song simulataneously be about absolutely nothing and abosolutely everything? And we answer it with a resounding, "Yes," -- at least it can if the song is question is "Someone in a Tree" from Pacific Overtures. Join us as we try to pick apart the strands of this masterpiece and discuss Sondheim's favorite of his own songs. All clips are from 1976's Pacific Overtures featuring Mako as the Reciter, James Dybas as the Old Man, Gedde Watanabe as the Boy, and Mary Hsu Syers as the Warrior 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/30615848
info_outline
Episode 92 - Waiting for the Girls Upstairs
03/16/2024
Episode 92 - Waiting for the Girls Upstairs
From "Waiting for Life" to "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs" -- it's Sondheim time once again. This year, we're focusing on conversation songs, a sub-genre Sondheim may have himself invented. We begin with the aforementioned octet (!) from 1971's Follies and talk about why this song may be the key to understanding the whole show. All clips are from 1985's Follies in Concert 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. Note: the DVD does not include all of the songs in full, but is still an fascinating watch. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/30398948
info_outline
Episode 91 - Waiting for Life
03/02/2024
Episode 91 - Waiting for Life
We wrap up our miniseries on "I Wish" songs with "Waiting for Life" from Once on This Island by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Topics include whether being made into a tree is a good thing, The Little Mermaid, and whether Ahrens and Flaherty were the right fit for this source material. DW: This episdoe contains mentions of racism, sexual assault, and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised. All clips are from the 1990 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Once on This Island featuring LaChanze 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/30201438
info_outline
Episode 90 - Home
02/16/2024
Episode 90 - Home
And we're back again with another "I Want" song, but we're still in the 1970s. This time we're tackling The Wiz and it's end-of-show I want song, "Home." Topics include Stephanie Mills, Diana Ross, and why the 80s really, really sucked. Editor's Note: Yes, this episode sounds different. New computers, new set-ups, etc. We're still ironing out the kinks. Also, the original cast album is cuirrently out of print and not widely available for streaming, so, if you're the rights holder, fix that, please. All clips are from the 1975 Original Broadway Cast Recording of The Wiz featuring Stephanie Mills as Dorothy 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/29983173
info_outline
Episode 89 - Corner of the Sky
02/01/2024
Episode 89 - Corner of the Sky
We're just getting started with I Want songs, and we're tackling another classic. This time, from 1972's Pippin, we're talking about "Corner of the Sky." We talk Stephen Schwartz, Bob Fosse, and where cats and children fit. Strap in. All clips are from the 1972 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pippin featuring John Rubinstein as Pippin 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/29751178
info_outline
Episode 88 - Wouldn't It Be Loverly
01/27/2024
Episode 88 - Wouldn't It Be Loverly
We're back! We're starting our 5th year a little late, but as opinionated as ever! We're looking at "I want" songs here in 2024, and we're starting with one of the most famous and beloved examples: "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from Lerner & Loewe's Golden Age classic My Fair Lady. But is it beloved by your intrepid hosts? Only one way to find out... All clips are from the 1956 Original Broadway Cast Recording of My Fair Lady featuring Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle 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. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/29672863
info_outline
Episode 87 - Mary Poppins
12/18/2023
Episode 87 - Mary Poppins
Oh, it's a jolly holiday season here at So Much Stuff to Sing! This year, we're looking at one of the all-time great film musicals, Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. With songs written by Richard and Robert Sherman, and featuring seminal performances by Dick van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynnis Johns, and (in her film debut!) Julie Andrews, the film is both a landmark of cinema and a timeless masterpiece. But what about its deeply anti-capitalist message? We'll get into that -- and more -- on this bonus-sized end of year episode. Programming note: we'll be on holiday ourselves until the middle of January. Have a very Mary (get it?) Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a wonderful holiday season! All clips are from the 1964 film Mary Poppins 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.
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/29113663
info_outline
Episode 86 - Beautiful
11/17/2023
Episode 86 - Beautiful
To round out our off-Broadway miniseries, Shannon and Erik take a look at "Beautiful" from the online hit Heathers: The Musical, and don't always like what they see. Are they just the wrong audience, or is this the wrong adaptation? All clips are from 2014's Heathers: The Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording) featuring Barrett Wilbert Weed are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. PLEASE NOTE: In addition to discussions of sensitive topics such as gun violence, sexual assault, suicide, and eating disorders, this episode also includes clips from the show with language that some may find offensive. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/28686568
info_outline
Episode 85 - The Origin of Love
11/01/2023
Episode 85 - The Origin of Love
From one queer, cult, off-Broadway hit to the next, it's time for Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell's Hedwig and the Angry Inch and what is arguably its thesis song: "The Origin of Love" Shannon is escited because of Eddie Izzard, and Erik is excited because of Plato. All clips are from 1999's Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Original Cast Album featuring John Cameron Mitchell are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/28477421
info_outline
Episode 84 - Science Fiction Double Feature
10/15/2023
Episode 84 - Science Fiction Double Feature
Happy Halloween, everyone! By sheer coicidence, our Off-Broadway miniseries timed up with spooky seaon, creating a wonderful synchronicity whereby our episde about "Science Fiction Double Feature" from The Rocky Horror Show is coming out just before Halloween. Wait...did you not know that Rocky Horror was a smash London and L.A. musical before becoming a movie? Well, grab a seat in the back row and listen... All clips are from 1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show: The Original Soundtrack featuring Richard O'Brien are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/28318610
info_outline
Episode 83 - Try to Remember
10/05/2023
Episode 83 - Try to Remember
We're back -- a little late -- but we come bearing a new miniseries! This time, we're heading off-Broadway to explore the wide range of shows and songs that fall under that collective banner. We start with one of the either best -- or least -- well-known musicals of all time, depending on which co-host you ask. Yes, it's 1960's The Fantasticks which ran off-Broadway for over four decades, becoming the longest running musical in the world. What do we think it was able to accomplish that feat, and what do we think of the show's most famous number, "Try to Remember?" Listenn to find out! All clips are from 1960's The Fantasticks Original Off-Off-Broadway Cast Album featuring Jerry Orbach are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/28236317
info_outline
Episode 82 - She Used to Be Mine
09/15/2023
Episode 82 - She Used to Be Mine
We finish our miniseries on 11 o'clock numbers with one of the defining shows and numbers of Broadway's current era: "She Used to Be Mine" from Waitress. The discussion gievs us a chance to talk pop versus Broadway, how Sara Bareilles conquered Broadway, and proper theater etiquette. CW for discussions of domestic violence, abuse, and murder. All clips are from the 2019 video "Shoshana Bean Sings 'She Used to Be Mine' from WAITRESS" from Broadway.com's YouTube channel are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/28031466
info_outline
Episode 81 - Lot's Wife
09/01/2023
Episode 81 - Lot's Wife
And now for something truly and genuinely completely different. Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change first premiered on Broadway in 2004, and while the show wasn't a success either at the box office or the Tonys, it made an impact. Another recent Broadway production similarly failed to enflame the ticket-buying public, but it helped cement the show as something of a modern classic. Today, we discuss the musical's 11 o'clock number "Lot's Wife" to try to understand why. All clips are from 2021's Caroline, or Change The New Broadway Cast Recording featuring Sharon D. Clarke as Caroline and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27906084
info_outline
Episode 80 - Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat
08/16/2023
Episode 80 - Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat
Another 11 o'clock number, please! This time, we're talking 1950's Guys & Dolls, Frank Loesser, and Nicely-Nicely Johnson -- yes, it's time for everyone's favorite gangster revival number, "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat." All clips are from 1992's Guys and Dolls: The New Broadway Cast Recording featuring Walter Bobbie as Nicely-Nicely Johnson and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27768891
info_outline
Episode 79 - Fifty Percent
08/01/2023
Episode 79 - Fifty Percent
We're back and starting a brand new miniseries. This time, we're looking at the so-called "eleven o'clock number" in a vairety of its permutations. First up, we have an archetypal example of the genre -- "Fifty Percent" from 1978's Ballroom. Trust us, you may now know the show, but you need to know the song. All clips are from 1999's My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies featuring Dorothy Loudon and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27612405
info_outline
Episode 78 - A Strange Loop
07/15/2023
Episode 78 - A Strange Loop
Our final title song is also our most recent. We're back to Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop, which has opened -- and closed -- on Broadway since we last discussed it, but not without winning the Best Musical Tony. All clips are from 2022's A Strange Loop: Original Broadway Cast Recording featuring Jaquel Spivey as Usher and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27473568
info_outline
Episode 77 - In the Heights
07/01/2023
Episode 77 - In the Heights
Another title song, and this time it's a title song that opens the show and sets up the rest of the show. We're talking about In the Heights again, exploring how Lin-Manuel Miranda uses its opening number to set up both the main characters and most of the plotlines that we need to know. All clips are from 2021's In the Heights: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring Anthony Ramos as Usnavi and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27314850
info_outline
Episode 76 - Kiss of the Spider Woman
06/15/2023
Episode 76 - Kiss of the Spider Woman
We're continuing with our title songs miniseries, and we're back with Kander and Ebb for the first time in a while. This time, we're talking about "Kiss of the Spider Woman," and Shannon makes a shocking confession about this song. All clips are from 1993's Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical - Original Cast Recording featuring Chita Rivera as Aurora and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27158031
info_outline
Episode 75 - Oklahoma!
06/05/2023
Episode 75 - Oklahoma!
We're back with a new miniseries! We're tackling title songs over the course of the next four episodes, and we're starting with the one that you're probably thinking of already. We're back to Rodgers & Hammerstein, but we're starting with their first show together. It's the beginning of the Golden Age of musicals, and the moment everything changed for the art form: it's time for 1943's Oklahoma!. All clips are from soundtrack to the 1955 film version of Oklahoma! featuring Gordon MacRae as Curly, Shirley Jones as Laurey, and the ensembles and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/27045105
info_outline
Episode 74 - The Ballad of Guiteau
05/15/2023
Episode 74 - The Ballad of Guiteau
It's the end of our annual Sondheim birthday celebration, and our last murder ballad. This episode, we're back with Assassins looking at "The Ballad of Guiteau." Charles Guiteau is a thorny historical figure, but Erik and Shannon do their best to try to make some sense of him, his song, and this entire show. All clips are from Assassins: The 2022 Off-Broadway Cast Recording featuring Ethan Slater as The Balladeer and Will Swenson as Charles Guiteau and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26831859
info_outline
Episode 73 - The Ballad of Booth
05/01/2023
Episode 73 - The Ballad of Booth
We're continuing our Sondheim birthday miniseries, this time focusing on his murder ballads, and we're moving on to a show that is dominated by murder ballads -- 1991's Assassins. Join us as we look at "The Ballad of Booth"and try to pick apart both this extremely rich song and the show's message. Audio note: It was raining when we recorded this episode, and you will occasionally hear the rain striking Shannon's air conditioner. We hope it won't distract too much from your enjoyment of the episode. All clips are from the 1991 Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording of Assassins featuring Patrick Cassidy as The Balladeer and Victor Garber as John Wilkes Booth and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26703279
info_outline
Episode 72 - My Friends
04/15/2023
Episode 72 - My Friends
To quote Shannon, "Murder! Murder! Murder!" Yes, we're carrying on with this year's Sondheim theme of murder ballads, and we're carrying on with Sweeney Todd. This episode, we discuss the sort of duet, but not really, "My Friends." All clips are from the 2002 production of Sweeney Todd in Concert featuring George Hearne as Sweeney Todd and Patti Lupone as Mrs. Lovett and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26544177
info_outline
Episode 71 - The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
04/01/2023
Episode 71 - The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
It's Sondheim time again -- the most wonderful time of the year here at SMSTS. This year, Shannon got her pick of themes, and she chose Sondheim's murder ballads. So, y'know, buckle up. We're starting off with the opening of 1979's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street appropriately named "Prelude/The Ballad of Sweeney Todd." Attend the tale. All clips are from the 1979 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Sweeney Todd featuring Len Cariou as Sweeney Todd and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26412432
info_outline
Episode 70 - I Know Where I've Been
03/15/2023
Episode 70 - I Know Where I've Been
We conclude our look at inspirational songs with "I Know Where I've Been" from Hairspray, the 2002 Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman musical based on the John Waters film of the same name. It's been a few years since we talked about the show's propulsive and endlessly optimistic closing number, so how does this song -- coming just before the final sequence and featuring a darker, if still optimistic tone -- sit within the show? And what's Erik's Grand Unified Theory of songs of inspiration? All clips are from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hairspray featuring Mary Bond Davis and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26201052
info_outline
Episode 69 - Tomorrow
03/01/2023
Episode 69 - Tomorrow
We return to Annie, a show we last talked about a few years back with Miss Hanigan's delicious villain song. This time, however, we're taking a look at the show's signature tune --and one of the most recognizable musical theater songs of all time -- "Tomorrow." Is it inspirational or an example of what's wrong with America? Buckle up. All clips are from 1977's Annie - Original Braodway Cast Recording featuring Andrea McArdle and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/26096625
info_outline
Episode 68 - The Impossible Dream
02/16/2023
Episode 68 - The Impossible Dream
Some great shows have a few mediocre songs, and some great songs come from otherwise mediocre shows. Such is the case with this episode's selection -- or is it? Join us as we continue our journey of inspiration with "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" from Man of La Mancha. All clips are from 2002's Man of La Mancha: The New Broadway Cast Recording featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/25951401
info_outline
Episode 67 - Climb Ev'ry Mountain
02/01/2023
Episode 67 - Climb Ev'ry Mountain
Welcome to 2023! As we enter a new year, we could all do with some inspiration, so we're starting the year off with a miniseries of inspirational songs. First up, we look at The Sound of Music for the first time, with "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." The last Rodgers & Hammerstein collaboration, this 1959 musical is one of the best known and best loved of all Broadway -- and film -- musicals. All clips are from 2103's The Sound of Music: Music from the NBC Television Event and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. . Follow the show on Twitter: Follow SMSTS on Instagram: Email the show:
/episode/index/show/somuchstufftosing/id/25784550