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BROADWAY NATION

BROADWAY NATION

By: Broadway Podcast Network
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About this listen

 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.Broadway Podcast Network Art Entertainment & Performing Arts World
Episodes
  • Ep 199: MARC SHAIMAN ON BROADWAY

    Ep 199: MARC SHAIMAN ON BROADWAY
    Mar 5 2026
    This is the second half of my recent conversation with Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer MARC SHAIMAN about his new, New York Times bestselling book, NEVER MIND THE HAPPY. During his five-decade career, Marc has found enormous success in nearly every aspect of show business, but in this episode, we focus on his experiences on Broadway, including CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and, most especially, the behind-the-scenes history and development of his smash-hit musical HAIRSPRAY. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including our newest patron, PAULA & STEVE REYNOLDS. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 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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    49 mins
  • Ep 10: The Great Depression & The Silver Age of Broadway, Part 2

    Ep 10: The Great Depression & The Silver Age of Broadway, Part 2
    Feb 28 2026
    During the 1930s Broadway was severely impacted by the economic disaster of the "Great Depression". However, somehow out of all that hardship and struggle came an extraordinary period of artistic achievement and spectacular continuing development for the Broadway Musical. The inventors of these shows included several new and defining masters of the musical, as well as many of the bright lights of the 1920’s, who now achieved their full wattage in the 1930’s. Among these were Dietz & Schwartz., Lindsay & Crouse, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, The Gershwins, and George "Mr" Abbott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Ep 198: FIVE DECADES OF SHOW BIZ with MARC SHAIMAN

    Ep 198: FIVE DECADES OF SHOW BIZ with MARC SHAIMAN
    Feb 19 2026
    My guest today on Broadway Nation is the Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer, MARC SHAIMAN, who has found spectacular success in nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry, including film, television, and theater, but is probably best known to fans of this podcast as the composer and co-lyricist of the Broadway smash hit musical HAIRSPRAY. Marc joins us today to tell us about his star-studded new book, NEVER MIND THE HAPPY, which recently became a New York Times bestseller. In this candid, hilarious, and at times quite moving memoir, Shaiman looks back over five decades of his amazing career. I found this to be a delightful conversation filled with behind-the-scenes stories and impromptu musical punctuations that I suspect you will not soon forget! Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part by the generous support of our Patron Club Members, including our newest patron, Arnold Hirshon. If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can 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. 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 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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    35 mins
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