My Little Tonys

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The 1994 Tony Awards, Part 2 Jun 02, 2019

Show notes

Now that all the assorted beauties and beasts are out of the way, we take a look at the rest of the season, which was a great year if your name was Rodgers and/or Hammerstein but not so much if your name was Tommy Tune. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@mylittletonys) for additional content about this season’s shows!

Works referenced/cited:

Cheever, Susan. “A Lost Boy Makes Good.” The New York Times, 6 Mar. 1994.

Canby, Vincent. “'Carousel,' A Soap Opera No Longer.” The New York Times, 3 Apr. 1994.

Richards, David. “Review/Theater; A 'Carousel' for the 90's Full of Grit and Passion.” The New York Times, 25 Mar. 1994.

Collins, Glenn. “UP AND COMING: Audra Ann McDonald; A Young Singer Grasps the Brass Ring.” The New York Times, 15 May 1994.

Mordden, Ethan. “THE NEW SEASON: THEATER; A 'Carousel' Rethought for the Age.” The New York Times, 12 Sept. 1993.

Weber, Bruce. “Placing Heaven on Earth for the World of 'Carousel'.” The New York Times, 31 Mar. 1994.

Kisselgoff, Anna. “MacMillan's Dances Distill 'Carousel's' Sexuality.” The New York Times, 3 Apr. 1994.

Collins, Glenn. “The Show Goes On As 'Phantom' Star Restarts 'Carousel'.” The New York Times, 23 Apr. 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “On Stage, and Off.”(https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/17/theater/on-stage-and-off.html) The New York Times, 17 June 1994.

Holden, Stephen.“Review/Theater: A Grand Night for Singing; New Image for Rodgers And Hammerstein: Hip.” The New York Times, 18 Nov. 1993.

Holden, Stephen. “Sounds Around Town.’ The New York Times, 19 Mar. 1993.

Holden, Stephen. “Pop and Jazz in Review.” The New York Times, 4 Mar. 1993.

Brantley, Ben. “Critic's Choice/Theater; Double Scoop of Musical Americana.” The New York Times, 5 Aug. 1994.

Mcneil, Donald G. “Closing Date In January Announced for 'Carousel'.” The New York Times, 25 Oct. 1994.

Canby, Vincent. “'Damn Yankees' Scores With a Team Effort.” The New York Times, 13 Mar. 1994.

Rohter, Larry. “At 106, George Abbott Is Still Batting for 'Damn Yankees'.” The New York Times, 27 Feb. 1994.

Richards, David. “Review/Theater: Damn Yankees; A Faustian Fable From the Era Of Eisenhower.” The New York Times, 4 Mar. 1994.

Brozan, Nadine. “CHRONICLE.” The New York Times,19 Aug. 1994.

Elliott, Stuart. “In a 'Damn Yankees' Revival, the Devil Works on Madison Avenue.” The New York Times, 13 Oct. 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “On Stage, and Off.” The New York Times, 5 Nov. 1993.

Collins, Glenn. “On Stage, and Off.” The New York Times, 25 June 1993.

Brantley, Ben. “Review/Theater: Grease; Memories With a New-Wave Touch.” The New York Times, 12 May 1994.

Canby, Vincent. “'Grease!' May Have Survived, but Not the Fun.” The New York Times, 22 May 1994.

Dullea, Georgia. “ON THE ROAD WITH: Brooke Shields; Coping, From Toe to Head to Heart.” The New York Times, 10 Nov. 1994.

Purdum, Todd S. “Hey, Rosie! It's No Dream. It's Broadway, And You're On.” The New York Times, 8 May 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “On Stage, and Off.” The New York Times, 7 Jan. 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “On Stage, and Off.” The New York Times, 2 Sept. 1994.

“Review/Theater; 'She Loves Me' Bounces to Broadway.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 1993.

Richards, David. “'She Loves Me' Is a Confection That Won't Cloy.” The New York Times, 20 June 1993.

Klein, Alvin. “Voice in 'Aladdin' Helps Actor Steal Scenes in 'She Loves Me'.” The New York Times, 12 Dec. 1993.

Rich, Frank. “Review/Theater; Reviving an Intimate Musical With Romantic Intentions.” The New York Times, 11 June 1993.

Corman, Avery. “Encore for 'Ice Cream' Team.” The New York Times, 3 Oct. 1993.

Brozan, Nadine. “CHRONICLE.” The New York Times, 2 Oct. 1993.

Richards, David. “Review/Theater; Musical Visit to Southwestern Bordello.” The New York Times, 11 May 1994.

Witchel, Alex. “Beads. Feathers. Sequins. Lace. Fantasy. Flash.” The New York Times, 8 May 1994.

Canby, Vincent. “Admirers and Fans Take Note: 'Passion' Will Divide You.” The New York Times, 15 May 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “On Stage, and Off.” The New York Times, 14 Jan. 1994.

Richards, David. “Review/Theater: Twilight -- Los Angeles, 1992; A One-Woman Riot Conjures Character Amid the Chaos.” The New York Times, 24 Mar. 1994.

Richards, David. “An Inspector Calls; Turning 1946 Stale Into 1994 Stunning.” The New York Times, 28 Apr. 1994.

The 1994 Tony Awards, Part 1 May 26, 2019

Show notes

We’re back to the 90s! We wonder what the hell Anthony Hopkins was doing there, discuss the controversy over Disney’s first bid for Broadway domination with Beauty and the Beast, and try our best to deconstruct Passion’s take on passion.

Works referenced/cited:

Sondheim, Stephen. Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.

Gordon, Joanne. Art Isn't Easy: the Theater of Stephen Sondheim. Southern Illinois University Press, 1992.

Zadan, Craig. Sondheim & Co. Da Capo Press, 1994.

Jones, John Bush. Our Musicals, Ourselves: a Social History of the American Musical Theatre. Brandeis University Press, 2011.

McLaughlin, Robert L. Stephen Sondheim and the Reinvention of the American Musical. Univ Pr of Mississippi, 2018.

Film Genre Reader. Univ. of Texas Press, 2007.

“List of 1994 Tony Award Nominations With AM-Tony Nominations.” AP NEWS, 16 May 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “'Passion' and 'Beast' Square Off in Tonys; 'Angels' Cited Again.” The New York Times, 17 May 1994.

Weber, Bruce. “'Passion' Wins Tony As Best New Musical; 'Angels' Wins Again.” The New York Times, 13 June 1994.

Rose, Lloyd. “'PASSION,' 'PERESTROIKA' TAKE TOP TONY AWARDS.” The Washington Post, 13 June 1994.

Kakutani, Michiko. “Sondheim's Passionate 'Passion'.”
The New York Times, 20 Mar. 1994.

Richards, David. https://“Review/Theater; Sondheim Explores the Heart's Terrain.” The New York Times, 10 May 1994.

Seckerson, Edward. “Sondheim Passion Original Broadway Cast.” Gramophone, 9 Jan. 2013.

Gerard, Jeremy. “Passion.” Variety, 10 May 1994.

“The Inspiration for Passion.”

Melada, Geoffrey. “Why Sondheim's 'Passion' Is His Most Personal Work.” TodayTix Insider, 23 Aug. 2018.

Brantley, Ben. “THEATER REVIEW;A More Intimate 'Passion' Throws Off Its Inhibitions.” The New York Times, 20 June 1996.

King, Susan. “Sunday, No Park, Lots of 'Passion'.” Los Angeles Times, 28 Sept. 1996.

Harris, Kathryn. “My Dearest Giorgio: The Use of Letters in PASSION.” Music Theatre International, 27 Jan. 2017.

Passion Interviews - Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie, Jere Shea

Davis, Francis. “More Than They Can Chew?.” Sondheim.com.

Pacheco, Patrick. “THEATER : Mr. Cool Tries Passion : Stephen Sondheim's New Musical of Obsessive Love May Be the Biggest Challenge Yet for Broadway's Restless 'Conscience'.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 1994.

Richards, David. “Review/Theater: Beauty and the Beast; Disney Does Broadway, Dancing Spoons and All.” The New York Times, 19 Apr. 1994.

Vine, Hannah. “Look Back at the Original Broadway Cast of Beauty and the Beast.” Playbill, 18 Apr. 2018.

“Susan Egan on Her Dirt-Catching Days as a Disney Princess and Humble Motherhood.” Stage Rush, Oct. 2011.

“'Beauty' Moving From Palace To the Fontanne.” The New York Times, 14 July 1999.

Canby, Vincent. “Is Broadway Ready for a Disney World Show?”The New York Times, 24 Apr. 1994.

Robinson, Gaile. “BY DESIGN : A Beastly Assignment : How to Make a Human-Sized Teapot and a Candelabra? Ann Hould-Ward Used Fancy Wiring, Prosthetics and Pryotechnics to Make the the Stage Production of 'Beauty and the Beast' Come Alive.” Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 1995.

Witchel, Alex. “Is Disney the Newest Broadway Baby?” The New York Times, 17 Apr. 1994.

Handy, Bruce. “Disney Does Broadway.” The New York Times, 9 Oct. 1994.

Maslin, Janet. “Critic's Notebook; A Beauty or a Beast? Contrasting Film and Musical.” The New York Times, 23 Apr. 1994.

Ehren, Christine. “Toni Braxton Premieres Beauty 's New Song, Oct. 7 On 'Rosie'.” Playbill, 7 Oct. 1998.

Brantley, Ben. “Review/Theater: Cyrano: The Musical; Cyrano's Flights Have Touched Down On West 52d Street.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Nov. 1993.

Simons, Marlise. “A Musical 'Cyrano': Can a Dutch Hit Sell on Broadway?” The New York Times, 21 Nov. 1993.

Alexander, Ron. “CHRONICLE.” The New York Times, 29 Nov. 1993.

The 1957 Tony Awards, Part 2 Apr 07, 2019

Show notes

What do McCarthyism, Charlie Chaplin, I Love Lucy, Catfish, Sister Act, Andrew Cunanan, John & Yoko, and the Caroline, or Change extended universe have to do with Bells Are Ringing, The Most Happy Fella, and Li’l Abner? That’s for us to know and you to find out.

Works referenced/cited:

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Mordden, Ethan. Coming up Roses: the Broadway Musical in the 1950s. Oxford Univ. Press, 2000.

Bryer, Jackson R., and Richard Allan. Davison. The Art of the American Musical: Conversations with the Creators. Rutgers University Press, 2005.

Loesser, Susan. A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls in His Life: a Portrait by His Daughter. Hal Leonard, 2000.

Mandelbaum, Ken. Not since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops. St. Martin's Press, 1992.

Patinkin, Sheldon. "No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance": a History of the American Musical Theater. Northwestern University Press, 2008.

Propst, Andy. They Made Us Happy: Betty Comden and Adolph Greens Musicals & Movies. Oxford University Press, 2019.

Taylor, Theodore. Jule: the Story of Composer Jule Styne. Random House, 1979.

Vaill, Amanda. Somewhere: the Life of Jerome Robbins. Broadway Books, 2006.

Wasson, Sam. Fosse. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.

Grimes, William. “Industrial Musicals Were Once Big Shows.” The New York Times, 20 Dec. 2017.

Brantley, Ben. “With Her, It's Love at First Sound.” The New York Times, 19 Nov. 2010.

Wilson, John S. “THEATER: A REVIVAL OF 'BELLS'.” The New York Times, 4 Nov. 1984.

Millstein, Gilbert. “MISS HOLLIDAY ON THE LINE; RETURN.” The New York Times, 25 Nov. 1956.

“Born Yesterday: Judy Holliday (The Blacklist Episode #11).” You Must Remember This, 3 May 2016.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: 'Bells Are Ringing' for Judy Holliday; Overcomes Antiquated Plot at Shubert Actress Flies High in New Musical Show.” The New York Times, 30 Nov. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: Loesser's Fine Music Drama; 'The Most Happy Fella' Opens at Imperial.” The New York Times, 4 May 1956.

Schumach, Murray. “MOLDING 4 MUSICAL; Discussing the Birth Of 'The Most Happy Fella' HOW 'THE MOST HAPPY FELLA' WAS REARED Search Ended Orchestra.” The New York Times, 29 Apr. 1956.

Millstein, Gilbert. “The Greater Loesser; The Composer-Lyricist-Author of 'Most Happy Fella' Gives Musical Comedy the Once-over-Seriously.” The New York Times, 20 May 1956.

Jr., Fred H. Diekmann. “DRAMA MAILBAG; Some Pro and Con Views on 'The Most Happy Fella' and 'Waiting for Godot'.” The New York Times, 13 May 1956.

“Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser.”

Green, Jesse. “Theater Review: The Happy Return of The Most Happy Fella.” Vulture, 3 Apr. 2014.

Brantley, Ben. “Uncorking a Napa Vintage for a Toast to Adult Romance.” The New York Times, 3 Apr. 2014.

Gussow, Mel. “Stage: The Most Happy Fella'.” The New York Times, 12 Oct. 1979.

Rich, Frank. “Review/Theater: The Most Happy Fella; Basic Feelings, Soaring Songs.” The New York Times, 14 Feb. 1992.

Tommasini, Anthony. “Frank Loesser's 'Most Happy Fella,' at Dicapo Opera.” The New York Times, 9 Mar. 2012.

Rich, Frank. “Review/Theater; Rethought, Refined and Revived: Goodspeed's 'Most Happy Fella'.” The New York Times, 30 May 1991.

Richards, David. “SUNDAY VIEW; A 'Happy Fella' With Less Offers More.” The New York Times, 2 June 1991.

Foran, Chris. “'Li'l Abner,' Al Capp Were Bigger than Life — until They Weren't.” Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel , 21 Apr. 2016.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: 'Li'l Abner'.” The New York Times, 16 Nov. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: Roz Russell.” The New York Times, 1 Nov. 1956.

Benjamin, Lois. “QUICK-CHANGE ARTIST.” The New York Times, 5 May 1957.

Atkinson , Brooks. “Theatre: 'Shangri-La'; Musical Based on Book by Hilton Opens.” The New York Times, 14 June 1956.

“LI'L ABNER SENDS A LETTER HOME; A Lovin' Son Tells His Mammy an' Pappy Of Philly-Delfya 'Mess' LI'L ABNER WRITES TO HIS MAMMY AN' PAPPY.” The New York Times, 11 Nov. 1956.

Schwabacher, Thomas K. “The Harvard Crimson.” Shangri-La The Harvard Crimson, 9 May 1956.

The 1957 Tony Awards, Part 1 Mar 31, 2019

Show notes

MLT takes on MFL! We use the lack of ceremony for ‘57 as an excuse to go deep on My Fair Lady, with a healthy sprinkling of Candide and Long Day’s Journey Into Night. We get X-rated while discussing the S&M subtext of Henry and Eliza’s relationship (plus drop the c-bomb while quoting Rex Harrison), get to the bottom of Candide’s dozens of credited lyricists, and put a request out into the universe for a Fosse/Verdon for the Golden Age.

Works referenced/cited:

Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Patinkin, Sheldon. "No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance": a History of the American Musical Theater. Northwestern University Press, 2008.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Mordden, Ethan. Coming up Roses: the Broadway Musical in the 1950s. Oxford Univ. Press, 2000.

Mandelbaum, Ken. Not since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops. St. Martin's Press, 1992.

Viertel, Jack. Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built. Sarah Crichton Books,Farrar, Straus and Grioux, 2017.

Andrews, Julie. Home: a Memoir of My Early Years. Hyperion, 2009.

Burton, Humphrey. Leonard Bernstein. Doubleday, 1994.

Lerner, Alan Jay. The Street Where I Live: the Story of My Fair Lady, Gigi, and Camelot. Hodder and Stoughton, 1978.

#100: Leonard Bernstein at 100 from The IVY Podcast.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Musical 'Candide'.” The New York Times, 9 Dec. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “The Theatre: 'Candide'.” The New York Times, 3 Dec. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: 'My Fair Lady'.” The New York Times, 16 Mar. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: Tragic Journey.” The New York Times, 8 Nov. 1956.

Bach, Steven. Dazzler: the Life and Times of Moss Hart. Da Capo, 2002.

Barone, Joshua. “Capturing the Short, Glamorous Life of a Forgotten Broadway Lyricist.” The New York Times, 20 Dec. 2017.

Bernstein, Burton, and Barbara B. Haws. Leonard Bernstein: American Original: How a Modern Renaissance Man Transformed Music and the World during His New York Philharmonic Years, 1943-1976. Collins, 2008.

“Boston Welcomes Last O'Neill Play.” The New York Times, 17 Oct. 1956.

Buckley, Michael. “50 Years Ago on Broadway.” TheaterMania, 24 Sept. 2006.

“Candide.” NPR.

14212 Bernstein - Candide

Freedman, Samuel G. “ALAN JAY LERNER, THE LYRICIST AND PLAYWRIGHT, IS DEAD AT 67.” The New York Times, 15 June 1986.

Funke, Lewis. “News and Gossip of the Rialto.” The New York Times, 1 July 1956.

Garebian, Keith. The Making of My Fair Lady. ECW Press, 1993.

Gelb, Arthur, and Barbara Gelb. O'Neill: Life With Monte Cristo. The New York Times.

“Leonard Bernstein at 100.” Leonard Bernstein.

Lunden, Jeff. “'My Fair Lady'.”NPR, 15 July 2000.

“The Greatest Musical: I Can't Live With West Side Story' Not Being Among the Finalists.” NYMag.

“Pygmalion.” Modernism Lab.

Renner, Rebecca. “Digging in to the Queer Subtext of My Fair Lady.” Literary Hub, 8 Mar. 2019.

Shales, Tom. “Master of the Musical.” The Washington Post, 16 June 1986.

Taubman, Howard. “Broadway and TV.” The New York Times, 16 Dec. 1956.

“Televising of Awards Ceremony Barred By Fight Between 2 Unions Over Lighting.” The New York Times, 22 Apr. 1957.

“The Rise of Bernstein's 'Candide' | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News.”

“Victorian and Edwardian. What's the Difference?”

Zolotow, Sam. “DRAMA BY O'NEILL OPENING TONIGHT; 'Long Day's Journey Into Night,' Autobiographical Play, at the Helen Hayes.” The New York Times, 7 Nov. 1956.

Zolotow, Sam. “'Fair Lady' Wins 6 'Tony' Awards.” The New York Times, 22 Apr. 1957.

The 2015 Tony Awards, Part 2 Mar 17, 2019

Show notes

We debate whether Something Rotten! is mocking or celebrating musical history, trace The Visit’s long road and short stay, and celebrate Kelli O’Hara’s sixth-time’s-the-charm win for The King and I. Plus: more dream (and nightmare) threesomes, a couple of failed attempts to find a “What?!”, and maybe a little too much joshing at Josh Groban’s expense.

Works referenced/cited:

Behind the Music of SOMETHING ROTTEN! with Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick

Associated Press. How 3 Broadway Novices Wrote 'Something Rotten!' San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2015.

Billington, Michael. “The Guardian Profile: Sir David Hare.” The Guardian, 13 Feb. 2004.

Brantley, Ben. “Once Scorned, Now Rich and Vengeful.” The New York Times, 7 Aug. 2014.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: Chita Rivera Stars in Kander and Ebb's 'The Visit'.” The New York Times, 24 Apr. 2015.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'On the Twentieth Century,' With Kristin Chenoweth, Opens on Broadway.” The New York Times, 16 Mar. 2015.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'Skylight,' With Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy, Opens on Broadway.” The New York Times, 3 Apr. 2015.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'Something Rotten!,' an Over-the-Top Take on Shakespeare.” The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2015.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'The King and I,' Back on Broadway.” The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2015.

Buruma, Ian. “Thailand's Banned 'King'.” The New York Review of Books.

Canby, Vincent. “THEATER REVIEW;Once Again, The Taming Of a Despot.” The New York Times, 12 Apr. 1996.

Gans, Andrew. “What Did Critics Think of London's The King and I, Starring Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe?” Playbill, 5 July 2018.

Green, Jesse. “Theater Review: A Little Engine Keeps On the Twentieth Century Moving.” Vulture, 16 Mar. 2015.

Green, Jesse. “Theater Review: Shall We Dance Once Again? The King and I Returns.” Vulture, 17 Apr. 2015.

Hetrick, Adam. “The Visit, Starring Chita Rivera, Ends at Williamstown; Creators Hopeful for Future Life - Playbill.com.” Playbill, 17 Aug. 2014.

Hofler, Robert. “'Something Rotten!' Theater Review: Or How a Musical Called 'Omelette' Begat a Play Called 'Hamlet'.” TheWrap, 23 Apr. 2015.

Isherwood, Charles. “A Musical Adaptation of 'The Visit'.” The New York Times, 31 May 2008.

Jones, Kenneth. “Angela Lansbury Withdraws From The Visit; Producers Seek Alternatives.” Playbill, 20 July 2000.

Jones, Kenneth. “Rivera Is Triple Threat in Kander & Ebb's The Visit, Opening Oct. 1.” Playbill, 1 Oct. 2001.

“Kelli O'Hara on Revisiting The King and I in London & Gearing Up for Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway.” Broadway.com.

Marks, Peter. “Dancing in The Dark: 'The Visit' With Chita Rivera.” The Washington Post, 29 May 2008.

McGrath, Charles. “In 'Something Rotten!,' If Music Be the Food of Farce, Play On.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

McGrath, Charles. “Ken Watanabe Moves From 'Samurai' to 'The King and I'.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Neher, Erick. “The King and I at Lincoln Center.” The Hudson Review.

Paget, Clive. “After #MeToo, Says Kelli O'Hara, The King and I Is More Relevant than Ever.” Limelight, 21 Nov. 2018.

Pressley, Nelson. “A 'Visit' With Very Familiar Faces of Broadway.” The Washington Post, 1 June 2008.

Reed, Rex. “'Something Rotten!' Is Not to Be Forgotten.” Observer, 30 Apr. 2015.

Rooney, David. “'On the Twentieth Century': Theater Review.” The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2019.

Rothstein, Mervyn. “Playbill Features: Re-Visiting The Visit.” Playbill, 23 May 2008.

Schulman, Michael. “Something Rotten!” The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2016.

Simonson, Robert. “Many Visits Along the Way: The Long History of Broadway's Latest Kander & Ebb Musical.” Playbill, 23 Mar. 2015.

Simonson, Robert. Playbill News: The Visit Will Not Visit Off-Broadway as Investors Pull Out. 22 Aug. 2003.

Smith, Neil. The King and I: Timeless Classic or Dated Relic? BBC, 4 July 2018.

Soloski, Alexis. “Skylight Review – Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan Have a Melancholy Pull.” The Guardian, 3 Apr. 2015.

Stasio, Marilyn. “Broadway Review: 'On the 20th Century' with Kristin Chenoweth, Peter Gallagher.” Variety, 16 Mar. 2015.

Stasio, Marilyn. “Broadway Review: 'Something Rotten'.” Variety, 23 Apr. 2015.

Stewart, Zachary. “Something Rotten!'s Creatives Talk Their Broadway Crash Course and the Art of Letting Go.” TheaterMania, 21 Apr. 2015.

Vincentelli, Elisabeth. “'Something Rotten!' Deserves to Be Broadway's New Big, Fat Hit.” New York Post, 23 Apr. 2015.

The 2015 Tony Awards, Part 1 Mar 10, 2019

Show notes

Caption: The 2015 Tony Awards! Harvey Weinstein’s hideous, smug face forces us to reflect on how much the world has changed in the last four years. We also talk about the highs and lows of adapting stage-resistant source material with Fun Home, An American in Paris, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; get carried away by On the Town; and work in references to everything from Beloved to “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@mylittletonys) for additional content about this season’s shows!

Works referenced/cited:

Paulson, Michael, and Patrick Healy. Tony Awards: ‘Fun Home’ Wins Best Musical and ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ Best Play The New York Times, 8 June 2015.

Theater Talk: "Fun Home" with Lisa Kron, Jeanine Tesori & Alison Bechdel

Cast and Creators of the 2015 Best Musical: "Fun Home"

Behind the Music of FUN HOME with Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori

Paulson, Michael. Fun Home,' the Musical, Takes Alison Bechdel's Life to Broadway. The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Pogrebin, Robin. “Bringing 'Fun Home' to the Stage.” The New York Times, 19 Oct. 2018.

Brantley, Ben. “Family as a Hall of Mirrors.” The New York Times, 23 Oct. 2013.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'Fun Home' at the Circle in the Square Theater.” The New York Times, 20 Apr. 2015.

Thomas, June. “Fun Home Was the Big Winner at the 2015 Tonys. How Did a Graphic Memoir Become a Musical?” Slate Magazine, 8 June 2015.

Paulson, Michael. “'Fun Home' Recoups on Broadway.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Broadway Passes The Bechdel Test With 'Fun Home'

Mattila, Kalle Oskari. “How a 'Lesbian Suicide Musical' Was Branded as a Feel-Good Broadway Hit.” The Atlantic, 10 May 2016.

Schulman, Michael. “Watching Sondheim Watch ‘Fun Home.’” The New Yorker, 19 June 2017.

Thurman, Judith. “Backstage at ‘Fun Home.’” The New Yorker, 19 June 2017.

Als, Hilton. “Outsiders Take Center Stage.” The New Yorker, 19 June 2017.

Rimalower, Ben. “From Falsettos to Fun Home: Lesbian Characters Move from Sidelines to Center Stage.” Playbill, 10 Sept. 2016.

Grode, Eric. “Lisa Kron Juggles Two Shows at Public Theater.” The New York Times, 19 Oct. 2018.

“Alison Bechdel Draws a Fun Home Coda.” Vulture.

Acocella, Joan. “A New ‘American in Paris.’” The New Yorker, 19 June 2017.

Als, Hilton. “Ta-Da!” The New Yorker, 19 June 2017.

Brantley, Ben. “Carried Away by the Sights! Lights! Nights!” The New York Times, 17 Oct. 2014.

Brantley, Ben. “In 'On the Town,' Sailors on Leave Look for Love.” The New York Times, 19 Oct. 2018.

Brantley, Ben. “Plotting the Grid of Sensory Overload.” The New York Times, 6 Oct. 2014.

Carey, Benedict. “An Autistic-Friendly Version of 'The Curious Incident'.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Clarke, David. “BWW Interview: Christopher Wheeldon Talks AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in Movie Theaters.” BroadwayWorld.com, 20 Sept. 2018.

Cohen, Stefanie. “'The Curious Incident of the Dog' Journeys to Broadway.” The Wall Street Journal, 2 Oct. 2014.

“'Curious Incident' Director Marianne Elliott Isn't Afraid of Big Risks.” Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2017.

Geoghegan, Kev. “National Theatre Adapts Mark Haddon's Curious Incident.” BBC News, 6 Aug. 2012.

Gottlieb, Robert. An "On the Town" for Our Time. The New Yorker, 20 June 2017.

Green, Adam. “The Making of On the Town: How a Group of Young Upstarts Made Broadway History.” Vanity Fair, 10 Apr. 2015.

Heller, Allan Kozinn and Scott. “'Curious Incident,' 'On The Town' Steer Clear of Stars in Casting.” The New York Times, 21 May 2014.

Isherwood, Charles. “Review: 'An American in Paris,' a Romance of Song and Step.” The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2015.

Mackrell, Judith. “Return to Rive Gauche: How Christopher Wheeldon Adapted An American in Paris.” The Guardian, 8 Dec. 2014.

Martinelli, Marissa. “An American in Paris: The Musical Is Not Content to Be Simple Escapism.” Slate Magazine, 21 Sept. 2018.

Paulson, Michael. “For the Scene Stealers of 'The Curious Incident,' a Happy Second Act, in Dog Years.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Pollock, David, et al. “Marianne Elliott, Interview with Theatre Director Who Helmed War Horse.” The Stage, 20 July 2017.

Rooney, David. “'An American in Paris': Theater Review.” The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Apr. 2015.
Schiff, David. “Misunderstanding Gershwin.” The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 1998.

Seibert, Brian. “Christopher Wheeldon's 'An American in Paris' Brings Ballet Values to Broadway.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017.

Soloski, Alexis. “An American in Paris Review – Wheeldon's Fine, Fanciful Entertainment.” The Guardian, 13 Apr. 2015.

Stasio, Marilyn. “Broadway Review: 'On the Town'.” Variety, 17 Oct. 2014.

Suskin, Steven. “Stage Alchemy, Brilliant as Stars.” The Huffington Post, 7 Dec. 2017.

Zoglin, Richard. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Theater Review Time, 6 Oct. 2014.

Theater Talk: “An American in Paris”; remembering Jean-Claude Baker

The 1984 Tony Awards, Part 2 Feb 24, 2019

Show notes

We sift through the leftovers of the 1984 Tony awards, discussing the classically trained roots of the Carlton dance, why even Chita and Liza couldn’t save The Rink, and what David and Zosia Mamet talk about at Thanksgiving. Plus, we excavate the source of an obscure Simpsons joke for this edition of “What?!” Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@mylittletonys) for additional content about this season’s shows!

Works referenced/cited:

Kander, John, et al. Colored Lights: Forty Years of Words and Music, Showbiz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz. Faber & Faber, 2004.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Filichia, Peter. Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit & the Biggest Flop of the Season 1959 to 2009. Applause Books, 2010.

Guernsey, Otis L. Curtain Time: The New York Theatre (1965-1987). Applause , 1987.

Bryer, Jackson R., and Richard Allan. Davison. The Art of the American Musical: Conversations with the Creators. Rutgers University Press, 2005.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE: A BOY AND HIS DREAMS IN 'TAP DANCE KID'.” The New York Times, 22 Dec. 1983.

Klein, Alvin. “THEATER; 'TAP DANCE KID' SETTLES INTO ROLE.” The New York Times, 9 Sept. 1984.

Tap Dance Kid -- Short Story Film -- 1980

Sullivan, Dan. “Stage Review: Tapping Out A Dance Story At The Pantages.” Los Angeles Times, 24 Sept. 1985.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE: 'BABY,' A MUSICAL EXPLORING PARETHOOD.” The New York Times, 5 Dec. 1983.

Beaufort, John. “'The Rink': a Musical Saga of Faded Glitter.” The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 1984.

Rich, Frank. “THEATER: 'THE RINK'.” The New York Times, 10 Feb. 1984.

Chambers, Andrea. “Liza and Chita Come to Musical Terms of Endearment in a Broadway Whirl Called The Rink.” PEOPLE.com, 05 Mar. 1984.

Rich, Frank. “THEATER: 'NOISES OFF,' A BRITISH FARCE BY FRAYN.” The New York Times, 12 Dec. 1983.

Rich, Frank. “THEATER: A MAMET PLAY, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.” The New York Times, 26 Mar. 1984.

Bradshaw, Peter. “The Seven Rages of David Mamet: Genius or Symbol of Toxic Masculinity?” The Guardian, 29 Nov. 2017.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE: ANGELA LANSBURY STARS IN 'MAME' REVIVAL.” The New York Times, 25 July 1983.

Singer, Barry. “Closer Than Ever: The Intimacy of Maltby & Shire.” Lincoln Center, 2 Feb. 2017.

The 1984 Tony Awards, Part 1 Feb 17, 2019

Show notes

Sunday SUNDAY Sunday! Two down-on-their-luck titans face off in the battle that ROCKED the eighties! It’s Georges versus Georges! Drag queens versus dots! Hummin' Jerry Herman versus Stone Cold (according to the critics) Steve Sondheim! WHO will reign victorious in this knock-down drag-out no-holds-barred fight to return to Broadway glory? Find out this Sunday SUNDAY Sunday (by the blue purple yellow red water)!

Works referenced/cited:

Freedman, Samuel G. “'REAL THING' AND 'LA CAGE' DOMINATE THE TONY AWARDS.” The New York Times, 4 June 1984.

O' Connor, John J. “THE 38TH TONY AWARDS.” The New York Times, 5 June 1984.

Freedman, Samuel G. “DISPUTE OVER TONY AWARDS.” The New York Times, 31 May 1984.

Freedman, Samuel G. “'SUNDAY' TOP TONY NOMINEE.”The New York Times, 8 May 1984.

Gans, Andrew. “DIVA TALK: A Backwards Glance-the 1984 Tonys PLUS Ripley, Menzel and Jones.” Playbill, 1 July 2005.

Alexander, Ron. “AN OPULENT OPENING PARTY FOR 'LA CAGE'.” The New York Times, 23 Aug. 1983.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE: THE MUSICAL 'CAGE AUX FOLLES'.” The New York Times, 22 Aug. 1983.

Bennetts, Leslie. “HOW STARS OF 'LA CAGE' GREW INTO THEIR ROLES.” The New York Times, 24 Aug. 1983.

Bennetts, Leslie. “HERE COMES THE MUSICAL 'LA CAGE'.” The New York Times, 21 Aug. 1983.

Boutwell, Jane. “Tracks.” The New Yorker, 20 June 2017.

Brantley, Ben. “Review: 'Sunday in the Park With George,' a Living Painting to Make You See.” The New York Times, 24 Feb. 2017.

Canby, Vincent. “Film: 'Cage Aux Folles,' Farce in a French Club.” The New York Times, 13 May 1979.

Freedman, Samuel G. “STOPPARD DEBATES THE ROLE OF THE WRITER.” The New York Times, 20 Feb. 1984.

Gussow, Mel. “THE REAL TOM STOPPARD.” The New York Times, 1 Jan. 1984.

Hinton, Peter. “The Real Thing Study Guide.” National Arts Centre, 2006.

Kakutani, Michiko. How Two Artists Shaped an Innovative Musical The New York Times, 10 June 1984.

Lawson, Carol. “BROADWAY; Summer's Hottest Ticket? How about Sondheim Musical?” The New York Times, 17 June 1983.

Lawson, Mark. “Tom Stoppard: 'I'm the Crank in the Bus Queue'.” The Guardian, 14 Apr. 2010.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE VIEW; SONDHEIM SAYS GOODBYE TO BROADWAY - FOR NOW.” The New York Times, 24 July 1983.

Rich, Frank. “STAGE: 'SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE'.” The New York Times, 3 May 1984.

Rich, Frank. “THEATER: TOM STOPPARD'S ''REAL THING''.” The New York Times, 6 Jan. 1984.

Rockwell, John. “'SUNDAY IN THE PARK' ILLUMINATES SONDHEIM'S ART.” The New York Times, 29 July 1984.

Sommer, Elyse. Tom Stoppard | a Curtainup Feature.

“Sunday in the Park with George.” Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Harvey Fierstein with Barbara Walters on 20/20 (1983)

Hirschfeld, Al. Hirschfeld On Line. Applause, 1999.

Sondheim, Stephen. Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany. Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.

Gordon, Joanne. Art Isn't Easy: the Theater of Stephen Sondheim. Southern Illinois University Press, 1992.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Filichia, Peter. Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit & the Biggest Flop of the Season 1959 to 2009. Applause Books, 2010.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Guernsey, Otis L. Curtain Time: The New York Theatre (1965-1987). Applause , 1987.

Citron, Stephen. Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune. Yale University Press, 2004.

Bryer, Jackson R., and Richard Allan. Davison. The Art of the American Musical: Conversations with the Creators. Rutgers University Press, 2005.

The 2005 Tony Awards, Part 2 Feb 03, 2019

Show notes

Anna’s sister Isabel joins us once again to finish our discussion of the ‘05 Tonys. We wonder if Adam Guettel will ever guett his act together, dreamcast a one-woman 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and debate whether or not a car is a robot. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@mylittletonys) for additional content about this season’s shows!

Works referenced/cited:

Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Filichia, Peter. Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit & the Biggest Flop of the Season 1959 to 2009. Applause Books, 2010.

Patinkin, Sheldon. "No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance": a History of the American Musical Theater. Northwestern University Press, 2008.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Brantley, Ben. “A Nun Who Is Certain, Even If Truth Is Not.” The New York Times, 24 Nov. 2004.

Brantley, Ben. “A Tomboy With Gumption (and Her Sisters).” The New York Times, 24 Jan. 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “A Wise Autumnal American in Florence.” The New York Times, 19 Apr. 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “Excuse Me, Got Any Spare Fame?” The New York Times, 22 Oct. 2004.

Brantley, Ben. “She's a Diva on Wheels of Song.” The New York Times, 29 Apr. 2005.

Finkle, David. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” TheaterMania, 2 May 2005.

Finkle, David. “The Light in the Piazza.” TheaterMania, 18 Apr. 2005.

Green, Jesse. “A Complicated Gift.” The New York Times, 6 July 2003.

Heilpern, John. “Soapy Light in the Piazza: This Amoré Is Kind of Creepy.” Observer, 9 May 2005.

“Innocence Abroad.” The New Yorker, 6 July 2017.

Isherwood, Charles. “Six Misfits Test Wits on Bigger Platform.” The New York Times, 3 May 2005.

Isherwood, Charles. “The Will to Win Spelled Out With a Lisp.” The New York Times, 8 Feb. 2005.

Jones, Chris. “The Light in the Piazza.” Variety, 25 Jan. 2004.

McKINLEY, JESSE. “Making Good on Broadway, 'Bee' Earns Back Investment.” The New York Times, 12 Sept. 2005.

Mondello, Bob. “In 'Doubt': Adapting A Parable Proves Problematic.” NPR, 11 Dec. 2008.

Rooney, David. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Variety, 8 Feb. 2005.

Simon, John. “Everything Is Illuminated.” New York Magazine.

Simon, John. “Faith-Based Initiative.” New York Magazine.

“Were New York Drama Critics Astonished by Little Women?” Broadway.com.

Gans, Andrew. “2004-2005 Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations.” Playbill, 10 May 2005.

Light in the Piazza Seattle Premiere news feature

The Light in the Piazza ABC Special

In Rehearsal with Sutton Foster & the Original Cast of the Broadway Musical "Little Women"

Broadway Backstory: The Light in the Piazza

Broadway Backstory: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The 2005 Tony Awards, Part 1 Jan 27, 2019

Show notes

This episode, we’re serving you two Hulkowers for the price of one. Anna's sister Isabel stops by to reminisce about the time they made their dad drive them to New Jersey to see Elaine Stritch. We also compare everything to The Producers, confess how much we like (Norbert Leo) Butz and we CANNOT lie, and wish Spamalot would spam a little less. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@mylittletonys) for additional content about this season’s shows!

Works referenced/cited:

Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Filichia, Peter. Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit & the Biggest Flop of the Season 1959 to 2009. Applause Books, 2010.

Patinkin, Sheldon. "No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance": a History of the American Musical Theater. Northwestern University Press, 2008.

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

Anderson, Sam. “Why Spamalot Should Never Have Won a Tony.” Slate Magazine, 21 June 2005.

“Best Replacement Tony Award Is No More.” Broadway.com.

Brantley, Ben. “A 'Menagerie' Full of Stars, Silhouettes and Weird Sounds.” The New York Times, 23 Mar. 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “A Quest Beyond the Grail.” The New York Times, 18 Mar. 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “A Weak Erotic Charge Flickers in the New Orleans Heat.” The New York Times, 27 Apr. 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “Family Guys Who Are What They Are.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Dec. 2004.

Brantley, Ben. “Here, Honor Is Profane and Words Do Hurt.” The New York Times, 2 May 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “Repatriating the Japanese Sondheim.” The New York Times, 3 Dec. 2004.

Brantley, Ben. “'Sweet Charity,' After a Rocky Road, Finally Reaches Broadway.” The New York Times, 5 May 2005.

Brantley, Ben. “The Art of the Con, Reprised.” The New York Times, 4 Mar. 2005.

“Did Broadway Critics Find Fun, Laughs, Good Times at Sweet Charity?” Broadway.com.

Gans, Andrew. “2004-2005 Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations.” Playbill, 10 May 2005.

Jones, Chris. “Sweet Charity.” Variety, 6 Mar. 2005.

Kachka, Boris. “'Noooooooooooo!' - Christina Applegate.” New York Magazine,.

McKINLEY, JESSE. “'Spamalot' Discovers the Straight White Way.” The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2005.

Riedel, Michael. “BRITNEY MAY BE B'WAY BABE – 'CHARITY' TEAM SWEET ON HOT POP TART.” New York Post, 23 Nov. 2005.

Rooney, David. “La Cage Aux Folles.” Variety, 10 Dec. 2004.

Rooney, David. “Monty Python's Spamalot.” Variety, 18 Mar. 2005.

Rooney, David. “Pacific Overtures.” Variety, 3 Dec. 2004.

Rooney, David. “'Spamalot' Closes on Broadway.” Variety, 18 Oct. 2008.

Shirley, Don. “'Scoundrels' Opens on Broadway.” Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2005.

Simon, John. “Exquisite Corpses.” New York Magazine.

Simon, John. “Medieval Times.” New York Magazine, 28 Mar. 2005.

Simon, John. “Pros and Cons.” New York Magazine.

Simon, John. “The Caged Bird Sings.” New York Magazine, Intelligencer.

“'Spamalot' and 'Doubt' Win Tony Awards.” The New York Times, 5 June 2005.

Top Grossing Broadway Shows of 2005. BroadwayWorld.com.

“Were New York Critics Taken with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?” Broadway.com.

Viertel, Jack. Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built. Sarah Crichton Books,Farrar, Straus and Grioux, 2017.

Zehme, Bill. “King Mike and The Quest for the Broadway Grail.” New York Magazine, 2005.

Norbert Leo Butz, John Lithgow & Sherie Rene Scott in Rehearsal for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

Production: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (Working In The Theatre #332)

Theater Talk - Remembering Mel Gussow & Spamalot (Full Episode)

A conversation with Eric Idle

Tim Curry - Spamalot REHEARSALS !! - Original London Cast

Eric Idle Spamalot documentary 2005

Mike Nichols on Directing, "Spamalot" and Being Funny (April 26, 2005) | Charlie Rose

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