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    History

    BROADWAY NATION

    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.

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    Copyright: © David Armstrong & Broadway Podcast Network

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    Latest Episodes:
    Special Encore Episode: WHO'S THE GREATEST STAR? — In Memory of Chita Rivera Jan 02, 2025
    Show notes

    This is a Special Encore of the 100th episode of Broadway Nation which was first posted in March of 2023. To celebrate I invited Albert Evans to join me to discuss, debate, and decide once and for all who is the Greatest Broadway Musical Star Of All Time!

    It is impossible to look back on the past year without thinking of CHITA RIVERA and the tremendous legacy she leaves behind. SPOILER ALERT! Chita figures prominently in this episode!

    As you will hear, we had a lot of fun with this one, and I have no doubt it will spark a lot of comments, conversation, and controversy! And we look forward to hearing from you.

    So who did we choose? All I can tell you is that Bernadette Peters, Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Robert Preston, Liza Minelli, Mary Martin, Audra McDonald, Angela Lansbury, Vanessa Williams, Al Jolson, Julie Andrews, Kristin Chenoweth, Eddie Cantor, Idina Menzel, Fanny Brice, Sutton Foster, George M. Cohan, Lea Salonga, Rex Harrison, Nathan Lane, Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Yul Brynner, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Donna Murphy, Gertrude Lawrence, Ben Vereen, Hugh Jackman, Joel Grey, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gwen Verdon, Matthew Broderick, and Chita Rivera all get considered and discussed.

    And a lot of Broadway history gets explored along the way as well!

    Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of Patron Club Members Ruth Oberg, Neil Hoyt, and Judy Hucka.

    If you are a fan ofBroadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON!

    For a just $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

    A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 2 Dec 29, 2024
    Show notes

    This is the second of two special holiday bonus episodes of Broadway Nation. Just like the first, this is an audio version of a Broadway Nation Live! performance that was given in December of 2019 at the Vashon Center For The Performing Arts on Vashon Island, WA. If you prefer to watch a video of this performance you can stream it on their website at: vashoncenterforthearts.org

    In Part One we looked at how the Jewish-Russian immigrant songwriter, Irving Berlin -- in addition to being one of the prime inventors of the Broadway Musical -- also created an entirely new category of popular song: “the Christmas Standard”. In this episode we explore how Berlin was aided and abetted in that endeavor by the son of Irish and German immigrants from Washington State who became one of the most popular performers of all time -- Bing Crosby. Along with Judy Garland I call Bing one of Broadway’s greatest stars who never appeared on Broadway.

    But first, we start off with Albert Evans’ amazing in-depth analysis of the genius of Irving Berlin, and the inspiration and craft that is behind the most popular song of all time. As you will remember the last episode ended with me introducing Albert and asking him this question: “Why? Why, is White Christmas the most popular song of all time?” You won’t want to miss his answer!

    This live show features musical performances by Cayman Ilika, Eric Ankrim, Chris DiStefano, and Albert Evans. Happy New Year!

    Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    I want to thank our Broadway Nation Patron Club members, such as Larry Spinelli, whose generous support helps to make it possible for me to bring this podcast to you each week. If you would like to support the creation of Broadway Nation, here is the information about how you too can become a patron.

    For a just $7.00 a month you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. 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.

    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

    Special Encore Episode: The Story Behind White Christmas, part 1 Dec 26, 2024
    Show notes

    This is a special holiday reprise of one of Broadway Nation's most popular episodes: It's an audio version of a Broadway Nation Live! performance that was presented in December of 2019 at the Vashon Center For The Performing Arts on Vashon Island just outside of Seattle, WA.

    Several previous episodes of Broadway Nation have explored the crucial role that the Jewish Russian immigrant songwriter, Irving Berlin, played in the invention of the Broadway Musical. This time I share the story of how he also invented an entirely new category of popular song – the Christmas standard.

    This live show features musical performances by Cayman Ilika, Eric Ankrim, Chris DiStefano, and Albert Evans.

    Happy Holidays!

    Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    I want to thank our Broadway Nation Patron Club members, such as Larry Spinelli, whose generous support helps to make it possible for me to bring this podcast to you each week. If you would like to support the creation of Broadway Nation, here is the information about how you too can become a patron.

    For a just $7.00 a month you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. 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.

    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

    Episode 161: Fixing The Musical, Part 2 Dec 19, 2024
    Show notes

    This is the second half of my recent conversation with author Doug Reside, whose fascinating new book is titled Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory.

    Today, Doug shares with us how cast recordings, movie versions, and even illegal bootlegs on YouTube have shaped the American musical as an art form and defined the Broadway repertory as we know it.

    If you missed part one you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

    And of course, many listeners to this podcast will know Doug from his day job as Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the NYPL for the Performing Arts. Reside joined NYPL in 2011 first as the digital curator for the performing arts before assuming his current position in 2014. Prior to joining NYPL, Reside served on the directorial staff of the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities at the University of Maryland. He has published and spoken on topics related to theater history, literature, and digital humanities, and has managed several large grant-funded projects on these topics. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including long-time patron Carl Baldasso.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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

    Episode 160: Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory Dec 12, 2024
    Show notes

    Over the past century, thousands of musicals have opened on Broadway. Why do we remember some and not others?

    My guest this week is Doug Reside, the author of a very interesting new book:

    Fixing The Musical — How Technologies Shaped the Broadway Repertory.

    In this conversation, Doug shares with us how the printed versions of the scripts, cast recordings, movie versions, and even illegal bootlegs on YouTube have shaped the American musical as an art form and defined the Broadway repertory as we know it.

    This book is filled with fascinating research, which might be expected since, in his day job, Doug Reside is the Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the NYPL for the Performing Arts.

    Reside joined NYPL in 2011 first as the digital curator for the performing arts before assuming his current position in 2014. Prior to joining NYPL, Reside served on the directorial staff of the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities at the University of Maryland. He has published and spoken on topics related to theater history, literature, and digital humanities, and has managed several large grant-funded projects on these topics. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including long-time patron Kelly Allen.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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

    Episode 159: Dance In Musical Theatre — A History of the Body in Movement Dec 05, 2024
    Show notes

    My guests this week are Dustyn Martincich & Phoebe Rumsey who have edited and authored (along with a number of other contributors) a recent book titled Dance In Musical Theatre — A History of the Body in Movement.

    As anyone who has listened to this podcast regularly knows, much like the authors of this book, I believe that dance has always been one of the most important and key elements of musical theater—from Oklahoma! and West Side Story to Spring Awakening and Hamilton. By pulling together a range of diverse authors and perspectives, this book not only tracks the emergence of the dancer as a key figure in the genre, it also connects the contributions of past and present choreographers from the beginning of the 20th century and right up to today.

    Dustyn Martincich is a Professor of Theatre and Dance at Bucknell University. Her research interests involve investigating narrative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary possibilities in theatre and dance performance and musical theatre dance studies that focuses on the work of the ensemble. She has movement directed, choreographed, and performed for concert dance and theatrical stages. She has been recently published in Studies in Musical Theatre, and in edited collections like Gender Sex, and Sexuality in Musical Theatre (edited by Kelly Kessler), Dueling Grounds: Revolution and Revelation in the Musical Hamilton (edited by Paul Laird and Mary Jo Lodge), and Toni Morrison: Forty Years in The Clearing (edited by Carmen Gillespie).

    Phoebe Rumsey is a Senior Lecturer in Musical Theatre and Course Leader of the BA (Hons) Musical Theater degree at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. She received her PhD from The Graduate Center, CUNY, and holds an MA in Performance Studies from NYU, an MA in Theatre from UNLV, and a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University. A scholar and practitioner, her research has been published in The Routledge Companion to Theatre and Politics, Studies in Musical Theatre, The Routledge Companion to the Contemporary Musical and Reframing The Musical: Race, Culture, and Identity (Palgrave). She is the author of Embodied Nostalgia: Social Dance, Communities and the Choreographing of Musical Theatre (Routledge). Along with her engagement in academic studies Dr. Rumsey has worked extensively as a performer and choreographer.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including long-time patron Judy Hucka.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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

    Encore Episode: Transgressive Women —Major Themes of the Broadway Musical, part 1 Nov 28, 2024
    Show notes

    With Gypsy on Broadway, Wicked on movie screens nationwide and Mama I'm A Big Girl Now off-Broadway, this seemed to be the perfect time to revisit this episode from the first season of Broadway Nation.

    This was the first of three episodes highlighting the principal themes of the Broadway Musical. Here I look at the single most ubiquitous and pervasive theme: “Transgressive Women”.

    For more than 100 years an overwhelming majority of musicals have featured transgressive female characters who break the rules, and refuse to follow the path that society has set out for them. And more often than not they are the protagonist, or co-protagonist, of the story.

    However, for some reason musicals are not generally perceived in this way. Most people would not identify this as one of the Broadway Musicals principal attributes. I believe that is part of their subversive power. In fact I would contend that the musicals themselves, as well as the characters, are transgressive.

    From “Laurey” in Oklahoma! to “Elphaba” in Wicked. From “Annie Oakley” to “Tracy Turnblad”. From “Maria” in The Sound Of Music to “Effie” in Dreamgirls. Dynamic women have always been at the center of America’s signature Art Form.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 158: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 3 Nov 21, 2024
    Show notes

    This is the third and final segment of my recent conversation with author Laurie Winer regarding her book Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical, recently released in paperback.

    Today our discussion centers on the second half of Hammerstein’s remarkable partnership with Richard Rodgers, including the creation of their musicals South Pacific, Me And Juliet, The King And I, Pipe Dream, and The Sound Of Music. If you missed the first two parts, you may want to catch up with those before listening to this one.

    Laurie Winer has been a theater critic for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and was a founding editor of the Los Angeles Review of Books.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including long-time patrons Gary Fuller and Randy Everett.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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

    Episode 157: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 2 Nov 14, 2024
    Show notes

    My guest again this week is the noted journalist and theater critic Laurie Winer, who returns for part two of our conversation about her book, Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical.

    If you missed part one, you may want to catch up with that before listening to this one.

    Following the triumph of Show Boat, during the 1930s Hammerstein experienced a very challenging decade of devastating flops on Broadway and very limited achievement in Hollywood. And that’s where we pick up our conversation.

    Topics included in this episode include the musicals Oklahoma!, Carousel, and Allegro! as well the the stark differences between the personalities of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, their working methods, and their fruitful collaboration and contentious relationship with choreographer Agnes De Mille.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including Producer Level Patrons Paula & Steve Reynolds.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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

    Episode 156: Hammerstein Invents The Musical, part 1 Nov 07, 2024
    Show notes

    My guest this week is the noted journalist and theater critic Laurie Winer, the author of a beautifully written and expertly researched book, Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of The Musical.

    Diving deep into Hammerstein’s life and work, Winer, offers new insights into the groundbreaking achievements of the creator of Show Boat, Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, to name only a few of the musicals that made Hammerstein one of the most commercially successful and culturally significant artists of all time. In Winer’s view, Hammerstein can be credited more than anyone else with inventing the Broadway musical.

    Laurie Winer has been a theater critic for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and was a founding editor of the Los Angeles Review of Books.

    How to become a PATRON of Broadway Nation!

    This podcast is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including longtime patron Chris Moad.

    For just $7.00 a month, you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth discussions with my frequent co-host, Albert Evans, that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgment 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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