Singular Sensation: The Podcast

Chicago #3: “Nowadays” 28 Years Later Mar 20, 2025

When a scaled down, revival production of Chicago launched a 4-day run at City Center Encores before transferring to Broadway in 1996, no one anticipated that the show would still be running on Broadway after 28 years and over 11,000 performances. It’s the second longest running Broadway show ever after Phantom of the Opera.

Producers Fran and Barry Weissler share insider stories with Michael Riedel about how many people in the Broadway community questioned the wisdom behind the launch. Michael also speaks with Joel Grey about playing Amos against normal type casting, and he talks with marketing superstar Drew Hodges about his steamy, minimalist ad campaign for the show. Plus Ann Reinking weighs in on the risky photo shoot.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Chicago #2: Ann Reinking in a Never-Before-Heard Interview Mar 20, 2025

Iconic triple-threat, choreographer, and film star, Ann Reinking, speaks with Michael Riedel about choreographing and starring in the 1996 smash hit Chicago revival. That year, Ann Reinking won the Tony Award for Best Choreography, and the show has since gone on to become the longest running revival on Broadway. Ann shares her stories about her relationship with Bob Fosse during the original 1975 production and how she eventually replaced Gwen Verdon in the show. Years later, Ann was approached to choreograph Chicago for Encores and ended up starring as Roxie herself!

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Chicago #1: John Kander & the Making of Chicago Mar 20, 2025

Legendary composer John Kander (Chicago, Cabaret, Steel Pier, Zorba) shares rarified insider stories with Michael Riedel about the making of Chicago. Kander reminisces about creating epic musical hits with songwriting partner Fred Ebb and collaborating with Director/Choregrapher Bob Fosse. Kander also reveals the secret advice he received from dear friend Liza Minnelli.

Chicago opened on Broadway in 1975, and in the shadow of the Tony-winning musical smash A Chorus Line, Chicago was overlooked for years. When Chicago returned to New York’s City Center and transferred to Broadway in 1996, no one would have dreamed that the show would still be running in 2025, making it the longest running musical revival in Broadway history!

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Guys and Dolls #3: Nathan Lane Jan 20, 2025

They were warned “don’t work on the show behind Director Jerry Zak's back!" But Guys and Dolls stars Nathan Lane and Faith Prince DID just that and the risk paid off! The two actors secretly worked on "Sue Me" together without the director’s approval. Their performances were so spectacular that they ended up on the front page of the New York Times. In this episode, Nathan Lane speaks in depth about playing Nathan Detroit and shares some of the challenges the show faced along the way.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Guys and Dolls #2: Director Jerry Zaks Jan 20, 2025

Tony Award-winning Director Jerry Zaks gives us a rarified peek behind the curtain revealing how Guys and Dolls went from a struggling show in previews to a triumphant success by opening night. Zaks shares stories with host Michael Riedel, including the fact that the original actress hired to play Sarah Brown had to be replaced just as the show was getting underway.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Guys and Dolls #1: I Got the Horse Right Here, with Michael David & Adrian Bryan-Brown Jan 20, 2025

Guys and Dolls, a classic 1950’s musical, was brought to exciting new life in 1992 just when Times Square was in decline. This beloved musical fable, written by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling, and Abe Burrows, dazzled audiences and became a smash hit revival. In this episode, Producer Michael David reveals how he acquired the rights to the show and gathered the powerhouse creative team that made this show sparkle. Press Agent Adrian Bryan-Brown then shares how the show struggled in previews, but persevered to win over the hearts of the audience.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent Bonus: Original star of Rent, Adam Pascal Aug 20, 2024

Original star of Rent, Adam Pascal, joins host Michael Riedel live at Sardi's for this special bonus episode. Adam reflects on how he went from playing guitar in his basement to being on the cover of magazines across the globe after Rent catapulted him and his castmates into stardom, changing their lives and the lives of audience members the show has touched since opening at New York Theatre Workshop nearly thirty years ago.

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Rent #8: Legacy & Impact Aug 13, 2024

Rent is one of those super rare musicals that permeated pop culture all over the world. The show was on Broadway from 1996 to 2008 and is still produced throughout the world today. In this episode, members of the original cast and creative team, as well as creator Jonathan Larson’s sister Julie Larson, discuss how the musical forged an incredible connection with young people in a way that no musical had in decades, bringing a whole new generation of creators to American musical theatre, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bobby Lopez, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and more.

This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #7: Broadway Bound Aug 06, 2024

Many warned that the musical Rent did not belong on Broadway! Nonetheless, the show blasted past those naysayers to become one of the biggest hits of all time. Join Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega, Tony Award-winning Director Michael Greif, Press Agent Don Summa, New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Jim Nicola, along with Producer Jeffrey Seller as they share their very insider memories of Rent’s road to Broadway. Plus Creative Director Drew Hodges shares the fascinating story behind Rent’s marketing campaign, and creator Jonathan Larson’s father and sister - Al and Julie Larson - share the significance of Rent opening at the Nederlander Theatre.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #6: Creator Jonathan Larson, Final Days Jun 28, 2024

In 1996, Rent creator Jonathan Larson tragically passed away just hours before the show’s very first preview at New York Theatre Workshop. Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega, along with Tony Award-winning Director Michael Greif, join Rent Producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, Press Agents Don Summa and Richard Kornberg and Jonathan’s father and sister - Al and Julie Larson - to share their vivid and very emotional memories about Jonathan’s final days. From that day forward, musical theatre would be transformed forever.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #5: Daphne Rubin-Vega's Closet Jun 21, 2024

Daphne Rubin-Vega, the original Mimi in Rent, and her personal wardrobe were invaluable resources for Rent costume designer Angela Wendt. With only $500 to create the original Rent costumes and set design, Angela was able to bring creator Jonathan Larson's vision to life and to fulfill his dream of Rent becoming a powerful 90's fashion "influencer." Join Angela and Daphne as they reminisce about helping to shape one of the greatest musicals of all time.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #4: Light My Candle, with Daphne Rubin-Vega Jun 11, 2024

Daphne Rubin-Vega brought such undeniable grit, free spirit, and Lower East Side authenticity to her Mimi audition that the Rent team knew they found their Cat Scratch Club dancer. Listen to Michael Riedel's never before heard interview with Daphne as she reflects on scoring this life-changing role and the extraordinary Rent roller coaster that followed. Rent Producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, as well as New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Jim Nicola, also share their very vivid behind-the-curtain memories.

This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #3: New York Theatre Workshop May 23, 2024

How did the groundbreaking rock opera Rent get its start? New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Jim Nicola, Director Michael Greif, and Producer Jeffrey Seller dive back in time to share what initially drew them to Jonathan Larson and to his revolutionary new musical Rent.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #2: Creator Jonathan Larson, Boho Days to Rent May 15, 2024

How did Rent get to Broadway? The trajectory is unexpected and spectacular. Producer Robyn Goodman, Artistic Director Jim Nicola, and Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s father and sister recount Rent’s trajectory from blank page to the show’s monumental New York Theatre Workshop production. Theatre would never be the same.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Rent #1: Creator Jonathan Larson, Early Days May 15, 2024

Listen in on this never before heard, very candid interview with Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s father, Allan Larson, and Jonathan’s sister, Julie Larson, as they share stories about Jonathan’s early passion for musical theatre, his extraordinary early musical gifts, and Jonathan’s deep desire to make musical theater relevant again for a whole new generation.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Get Ready for Rent (Trailer) May 13, 2024

Based on Michael Riedel’s spectacular book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, the Rent miniseries explores the creation of the landmark musical with those who were there. Rent marks a major turning point in the history of American musical theatre. Before Rent, the British spectacles dominated - Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Sunset Boulevard. When Rent, composed and written by Jonathan Larson, exploded onto the scene, the show ignited huge excitement from a young audience and changed the entire trajectory of the art form forever.

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Sunset Boulevard #6: Patti LuPone - Part 2 Apr 17, 2024

Patti LuPone got her pool, but Glenn Close got the Tony. In this never-before-heard dressing room interview about Sunset Boulevard, Patti LuPone dives deep on the competition between her and fellow Norma Desmond, Glenn Close. Plus you don’t want to miss what she has to say about Faye Dunaway.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Sunset Boulevard #5: Patti LuPone - Part 1 Apr 16, 2024

Listen in on this never-before-heard dressing room interview with Sunset Boulevard’s original Norma Desmond, Patti LuPone, to hear her take on the challenges of creating the role in London and the origins of her infamous feud with Andrew Lloyd Webber.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Sunset Boulevard #4: Glenn Close - Part 2 Apr 15, 2024

Glenn Close discusses returning to Sunset Boulevard for the 2017 Broadway revival. She shares how the production evolved since Broadway in 1994 and how she was able to dive even deeper into the role of Norma Desmond.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Sunset Boulevard #3: Glenn Close - Part 1 Apr 15, 2024

Tony-winning star Glenn Close shares her Norma Desmond memories - from her first Sunset Boulevard audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber, to her experience launching a show about a Hollywood star in Hollywood, to originating the role on Broadway.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Sunset Boulevard #2: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 2 Apr 08, 2024

As we continue our deep dive into Sunset Boulevard, Andrew Lloyd Webber talks about Patti LuPone’s fierce competitiveness with Glenn Close…and how this sparked Patti’s infamous feud with Andrew - a painful experience for Andrew that took a significant toll on him personally.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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Sunset Boulevard #1: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 1 Apr 08, 2024

Did you know Andrew Lloyd Webber was not the first famous composer to consider turning Sunset Boulevard into a musical? Join host Michael Riedel in a rarified, behind-the-curtain conversation with legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber as he recounts the decision to hire Patti LuPone to star as Norma Desmond in the London production of Sunset Boulevard and how bringing the musical to Los Angeles before Broadway ignited one of the biggest feuds in Broadway history.

This episode features never-before-heard excerpts from the interviews Michael Riedel recorded while writing his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.

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