Broadway

Remembering Stephen Sondheim

Brad Oscar is a double Tony Award nominee for his performances in the original Broadway productions of The Producers and Something Rotten!, opens this Sunday in the Broadway musical version of Mrs. Doubtfire, met Stephen Sondheim many times, and played Beadle Bamford in the 2017 off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd set in an actual pie shop where the audience sat at tables and ate during the performance. Brad discusses Sondheim’s legacy and work; his memories of seeing the original productions of Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and Merrily We Roll Along; how Sondheim has influenced multiple generations; the value of the accumulation of details; the breadth of Sondheim’s impact and reach; and the similarities between Sondheim and Shakespeare. (Length 27:09)

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By austin, ago

760. Some Broadway B.S.

Abbey Harris is the co-creator and co-host of Broadway Bullshit, the seasonal weekly podcast that examines Broadway musicals and discusses whether they should “fly, die, or retry,” and strives to provide contextual analysis, while also reminding fans why they love Broadway. FEATURING: bleeding edge hot takes; looking at classic material in new ways; the power of being a double threat; the importance of editing; some recording tips; and addressing the danger of running out of musicals. (Length 19:18)

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By austin, ago

Episode 629. 2018’s Top Podcasts

Happy New Year! We kick off 2019 with excerpts of the Top Ten Most Downloaded Episodes of the RSC Podcast from 2018. Featuring novel excerpts from novelist Christopher Moore; testimonials regarding the efficacy of prison theatre programs; reviews of our favorite Broadway shows; the challenges of working on a new play about Mikhail Gorbachev; love for and from retired National Public Radio broadcaster Robert Siegel; actors from the Prague Shakespeare Festival; affection for Slings and Arrows; new plays inspired by Shakespeare’s plays and practices; confessions from an actual Lady Macbeth; and — finally! — an answer to the question, “What is Shakespeare’s greatest play?” Listen to the excerpts then click through to hear the entire episodes! (Length 23:03) 

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By austin, ago

Episode 586. Reduced Show Report

During our two-week run of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) at the New Victory Theatre in New York City we had the opportunity to see many fantastic shows, both on and off-Broadway, and between our final two performances we chatted about what we saw, what we liked, what we were disappointed in, what surprised us, what challenged us, and what completely blew us away. Featuring thoughts, opinions, critiques, and appreciations of Lobby Hero, School of Rock, Farinelli and the King, In & Of Itself, Chicago, A Bronx Tale, The Low Road, SpongeBob Squarepants, Three Tall Women, John Lithgow, Hamilton, and The Band’s Visit — plus tales of personal John Lithgow connections, out-of-the-ordinary shows, accidental benefits of snow days, excellent direction and not-so excellent direction, and wonderful moments of deeply moving exquisite joy. (Length 27:12)

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By austin, ago

Episode 456. Broadway’s “Something Rotten!”

Three of the stars and original cast members of the hit Broadway Shakespeare musical Something Rotten! — Heidi Blickenstaff, John Cariani, and Brad Oscar (pictured) — talk about the process of creating an original musical, from casting through rehearsals to last-minute changes right up to opening night. Featuring excerpts from the score, the joys Read more…

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By austin, ago

Episode 271. Broadway’s Brad Oscar

”LIVE! from famed Broadway eatery Joe Allen: Brad Oscar, who always wanted to act in Broadway musicals, talks about living the dream as a Tony-nominated actor playing great roles on Broadway and around the country. Brad discusses his training, his breaks, how he “maintains his instrument”, the challenges of understudying Nathan Read more…

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By austin, ago

Episode 187. Tony Tony Tony!

Actor and Fight Captain Tom Schall reminisces about his Broadway debut in the ill-fated (is there any other kind?) 1988 production of the Scottish play starring Christopher Plummer and Glenda Jackson. Featuring the perils of switching directors in mid-stream, more examples of the so-called Scottish play “curse”, a special appearance by Read more…

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By austin, ago

APRIL NEWSLETTER: Out Now!

Wanna catch up on the latest Reduced news, reviews and interviews? The April edition of The Reduced Reader is OUT NOW! We’re launching the final leg of our tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – check dates! Also, in this edition, find out about our “Broadway” run, Read more…

By austin, ago

Episode 171. Walking To Work

”We walk to our performances at the New Victory Theatre in New York City along one of most famous thoroughfares in the world – Broadway. Featuring honking horns, massive crowds, steady drizzle, mistaken identities, reduced reviews, unexpected encounters, and huge delight at being at the center of the theatrical universe. Read more…

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By austin, ago

Episode 155. Big-Shot Broadway Producer

”Tom Gabbard is not only the President of the North Carolina Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts but he’s also involved with the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of for-profit and not-for-profit presenters around the US that invests in the front-end of commercial projects that often play their respective venues. Read more…

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By austin, ago