BROADWAY NATION

By: Broadway Podcast Network
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  • Summary

  • A lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process.In Season One, host David Armstrong traces the evolution of American Musical Theater from its birth at the dawn of the 20th Century, through its mid-century “Golden Age”, and right up to its current 21st Century renaissance; and also explore how musicals have reflected and shaped our world -- especially in regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, and equality.
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Episodes
  • Special Encore Episode: WHO'S THE GREATEST STAR? — In Memory of Chita Rivera

    Special Encore Episode: WHO'S THE GREATEST STAR? — In Memory of Chita Rivera
    Jan 2 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 2

    A Special Encore Episode: "White Christmas" — The Story Behind The World's Most Popular Song, part 2
    Dec 29 2024
    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
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    43 mins
  • Special Encore Episode: The Story Behind White Christmas, part 1

    Special Encore Episode: The Story Behind White Christmas, part 1
    Dec 26 2024
    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
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    34 mins

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