This is the third and final part of my conversation with author Rob Schneider, who returns to tell us more about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill. On this episode, Fun Home, The Prom, and Jagged Little Pill. Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members, such as JUDY HUCKA. 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

This is the second part of my conversation with author Rob Schneider, who returns to tell us more about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill. On this episode, Falsettos, Hedwig And the Angry Inch, BARE, and Kinky Boots. Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022. On this first episode in this series, we discuss the musicals Boy Meets Boy, La Cage aux Folles, and The Knife. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

 On this episode my guest is Rob Schneider, who returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, Queer Musicals — Boy Meets Boy to Jagged Little Pill. Robert W. Schneider is a historian, director, producer, author, educator, and podcast host, and the Artistic Director of the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company in New York. And since working as an original programming producer at 54 Below, Rob has directed and produced over 100 concerts for the venue. His first book, 50 Key Stage Musicals, was published in 2022. On this first episode in this series, we discuss the musicals Boy Meets Boy, La Cage aux Folles, and The Knife. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

Amazingly, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In 2005, after an incredibly short development period, opened first off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater, and quickly moved to Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway. It was nominated for six Tony Awards and won two, including “Best Book of a Musical,” and the show would go on to run for 1,136 performances and be produced around the world. In celebration of that anniversary, two new productions will open this fall. Off-Broadway at New World Stages, performances are scheduled to begin on November 27, and next week, on October 21, Spelling Bee will open at Theater Under the Stars in Houston, Texas, where it is directed and choreographed by my guest today, TUTS’s Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges. Not coincidentally, Knechtges made his Broadway debut as the choreographer of the original production, and as you will hear, he was actively involved in every stage of that musical’s development from its very first incarnation working closely with composer/lyricist William Finn, and director, James Lapine. Knechtges’ other Broadway credits includes the choreography of Sondheim On Sondheim, the revival of 110 in the Shade, and Xanadu, for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and the direction and choreography of the musical Lysistrata Jones. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

To a great extent the Broadway Musical has been a queer creation -- and for more than 125 years the musical theater world has been filled with brilliant and creative LGBTQ people, including many in the highest positions of power and influence. In this episode David Armstrong shares the fascinating stories Broadway's defining queer choreographers Robert Alton & Jack Cole, the legendary gay songwriters Noel Coward and Larry Hart, directors Monty Wooley and Moss Hart, and prolific bookwriter Herbert Fields, who is without doubt one of the most significant and least known inventors of the Broadway Musical! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the second part of this Encore Episode from 2021 featuring a conversation with Irene Sankoff & David Hein — the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the international smash hit musical Come From Away which recently topped American Theatre magazine's list of the most produced plays in America in 2025/26. On the previous episode Irene and David related how they got hooked on musicals, and how they went from their first show based on a true story — My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding — to deciding to create a musical based on the real life events that happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the days following 9/11. They also described what it was like to attend the 10th Anniversary of the events in Gander and then begin to transform the stories they heard there into a musical during an early workshop production at The Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College. We also explored the classic Broadway shows that influenced and inspired the writing of their book, music, and lyrics for Come From Away. If you missed part one you may want to go back and catch up on that episode before you listen to this one. Today we look at the extensive development process that CFA went through on its journey to Broadway — including a workshop in Seattle, a series of productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Seattle Rep, Ford’s Theater in DC. and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, as well as a thrilling concert presentation in Gander where it all began.  Back in 2015, I served as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and, as such, I had the great pleasure of co-producing that original Seattle workshop of Come From Away. This was the first time that the show’s Tony award winning director Christopher Ashley and choreographer, Kelly Devine began to work on the show — and it was great fun to recall that exciting experience with Irene and David. Come From Away is the fifth musical to originate in Canada and eventually open on Broadway.  The first was 1974’s Rockabye Hamlet with book, music and lyrics by Cliff Jones. This rock musical adaptation of Shakespeare was originally titled Kronborg 1582 and was well received, first as a radio series on the CBC, and then at the Charlottetown Theatre Festival and on tour in Canada, before being retitled and opening on Broadway with Gower Champion as the director. It became a legendary flop and closed after 7 performances. Next, in 1980 came the intimate and engaging Billy Bishop Goes To War written by John McLachlan Gray the show featured one actor to playing18 different roles to tell the story of real life Canadian fighter pilot Billy Bishop during the first World War. This show nearly doubled the run of Rockabye Hamlet closing after 12 performances. However, over the next ten years Billy Bishop Goes To War received scores of productions at theaters all across North America.  The Story Of My Life, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, opened on Broadway in 2009. Unfortunately, it had an even shorter run than either of the previous two Canadian shows. However, one year earlier, a group of Canadian writers finally scored a significant hit with The Drowsy Chaperone – book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. This delightful show opened on Broadway in 2008, received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, and ran for 674 performances.   There have been a few other Canadian writers that found success on Broadway – Galt McDermott being the most famous of them – but that was with shows that originated in the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guests today are Irene Sankoff & David Hein – the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the giant international smash hit musical Come From Away. Five productions of Come From Away have recently reopened around the world: Broadway, Toronto, London, Sydney and on tour across America. A live filmed version of the show is also streaming on Apple TV+. Irene and David won the 2019 Olivier Award and were nominated for the 2018 Grammy Award and the 2017 Tony Award for their book and score for Come From Away, with the show itself winning the 2019 Olivier Award for Best Musical, three 2017 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, four Helen Hayes Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. David and Irene were also the recipients of the 2017 Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Book. A live filmed version of Come From Away is now streaming on Apple TV+. Their first show, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on David’s mother’s true story) was produced by Mirvish Productions in Toronto and played and won Best Musical awards across North America, with Sankoff and Hein performing in most productions. They are currently working on projects with Disney, Warner Bros. and Netflix. Irene and David are the recipients of the Good Neighbour Award from the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy and the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada. They are proud members of the Dramatists Guild, Writer’s Guild East and ASCAP. @sankoffandhein In this conversation, we explore how Come From Away fits into the history of the Broadway musical – which musical theater writers from the past influenced Irene and David, and what classic shows inspired them. And we will look back at their first musical, which has the memorable title: My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. But first, I wanted to find out how they got started down this path in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special video and audio episode of Broadway Nation my guests are Dominic Broomfield—McHugh, editor of The Oxford Guides to Film Musicals, along with the authors of the first three books in this new series: Geoffrey Block (Love Me Tonight), Andrew Buchman (Singin' in the Rain), Hannah Lewis (La La Land). You can watch the video version on YouTube, Spotify, and the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the fifth and final episode in this series of conversations with RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the acclaimed book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. This week Richard and I discuss two of Stephen Sondheim's most challenging musicals, ASSASSINS and PASSION, as well as his final show HERE WE ARE. If you missed the first four episodes in this series, you may want to catch up with them before listening to this one. Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

The 1920s brought the second great era of musicals that were written by, staged by, and starring Black theater artists to Broadway. In this episode I profile these brilliant creators and stars including Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle, Flournoy Miller & Aurbry Lyles, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and their musicals -- Shuffle Along, Runnin' Wild, Blackbirds of 1929, Hot Chocolates and more. It also includes a brief history of that great African American/Irish American co-creation, Tap Dancing. And featuring music by The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra -- for more music from this era, check out their terrific Black Manhattan series of recordings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

African American theater artists played a significantly larger role in the creation of the Broadway Musical than is generally acknowledged — including an entire decade of nearly forgotten hit shows and songs! In this episode, we will rediscover the early history of Black Broadway and the amazingly multi-talented men and women whose legacy still inspires Broadway today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most brilliant works, Sunday In the Park with George and Into the Woods. If you missed the first three episodes in this series, you may want to catch up with them before listening to this one. Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

My guest again this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the much-acclaimed recent book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. In the first two episodes of this series, Richard took us deep inside the inner workings and underlying meanings of Gypsy, Company, Follies, and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them. This week, we explore two of Sondheim’s most challenging and brilliant works, Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd —The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with that before embarking on this one. Richard Schoch is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

“Some people might say CATS is a ripoff of A Chorus Line. I don’t want to go that far but it’s remarkably similar. I think it’s sort of a doppelganger of A Chorus Line.” In this episode, host Mike Abrams welcomes David Armstrong, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network host and author of the newly published book Broadway Nation.'They delve into the rich history of Broadway musicals, highlighting the significant influences and connections, including how the iconic musical CATS ties into this history. Armstrong shares fascinating insights about the evolution of Broadway from his podcast and University of Washington course, the criteria behind the Jellicle choice, and how reality shows like 'Queen for a Day' may have influenced Broadway storytelling. 00:53 David’s Broadway Journey 01:22 The Evolution from Podcast to Book 07:26 The Impact of A Chorus Line on CATS 08:17 The British Theater Transformation 12:16 The Reality Show Parallel 27:54 Assigning CATS to Students 28:39 Discussing the 2019 Movie 35:17 The Jellicle Choice Debate Check out Broadway Nation on Instagram: @davidatbroadwaynation Check out the Broadway Nation Podcast Check out the Broadway Nation Book Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alan Seales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Broadway Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social Media: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheWrongCatDied Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Never fear! Richard Schoch will return soon for the third and fourth segments of our conversation regarding his recent book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life. In the meantime, I am excited to share with you the first of what I anticipate will become an occasional new series, which I am calling IN SEARCH OF LOST BROADWAY. And in this episode, my guest ALBERT EVANS and I will try to rediscover the hit 1927 musical RIO RITA. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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

My guest again this week is Richard Schoch, author of the much-acclaimed book, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life. Last week, Richard took us deep inside the inner workings of both Gypsy and Company. In this episode, through his insightful analysis of the musicals Follies and A Little Night Music, and the fascinating characters who inhabit them, Schoch illuminates Sondheim’s incredible genius for plumbing the depths of human experience. If you missed the first episode in this series, you may want to catch up with it before embarking on this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join author David Armstrong for a lively conversation hosted by Alan Seales of The Theatre Podcast celebrating the release of Armstrong's new book, Broadway Nation—How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical. With co-host Michelle Simone Miller host of the podcast Mentors On the Mic. At this virtual book launch party you will have the opportunity to meet David Armstrong and hear the inside story of the creation of his first book. You will also have a chance to participate in an exclusive Q&A; and compete with other Broadway fans in a MUSICAL THEATER TRVIA CONTEST to win your own copy of Broadway Nation! Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical is a comprehensive history of America’s signature art form, the Broadway musical, with a unique emphasis on the powerful (but often overlooked) impact that marginalized groups have had on its evolution. Inspired by the popular large lecture course that author David Armstrong teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama, as well as his Broadway Nation podcast, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon. ⁠ Order the book here: ⁠https://amzn.to/3TuoUcl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a brief summer break, I am thrilled to be back with an all-new episode of Broadway Nation! My guest this week is RICHARD SCHOCH, author of the recent and much-acclaimed book, HOW SONDHEIM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Just when you thought there might be nothing left to say about the musicals of Stephen Sondheim, Schoch's engaging book opens up a new treasure trove of fascinating analysis and insight. Richard Schoch, is a Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, and is the author of eight books, both popular and academic, on topics ranging from musical theatre to Shakespeare to Queen Victoria. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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 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 quick update on what's going on with Broadway Nation podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I continue my review of Broadway’s Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s and beyond. Many of the musicals that emerged in the late 60s and very early 70s were also influenced by the incipient Nostalgia Craze, even if overall their shows were decidedly modern. HAIR, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Applause  all included musical sequences that recalled the Vaudeville era and Silver Age of Broadway. So nostalgia was in the air, and then No, No, Nanette sent it into the stratosphere! And all of this was before the nostalgia craze expanded to include the 1950s. Almost exactly one year after the premiere of Nanette the musical Grease opened on Broadway. It became wildly popular and ran for eight years on Broadway passing Fiddler to become the longest running musical of all time until A Chorus Line passed it. And Grease’s enormous success set into motion a 1950s wing of the nostalgia craze by inspiring both the movie American Grafiiti (1973) and the TV show Happy Days (1974). The success of Nanette led directly to a 1973 revival Irene, the smash hit musical that opened in 1919 and became the longest running musical of its day. And Grease led directly to Over Here !, the 1974 musical in which the director, choreographer and producers of Grease attempted to do for the 1940s, what their previous show had done for the 1950s. The two still living Andrews Sisters, Patty and Maxine, where enticed to star in Over Here!, and the Sherman Brothers, of Disney fame, provided a terrific set of brand new very authentic sounding Big Band era style songs for them to swing. Broadway’s Nostalgia Craze continued with a hit 1975 revival of the Jerome Kern Princess Theater musical Very Good Eddie, then in 1979 both the 1928 Edie Cantor vehicle Whoopee! and the 1930’s style classic Burlesque show, Sugar Babies.  It was inevitable that the movie 42nd Street itself would be transformed into a Broadway stage musical in 1980. That same season there was the Marx Brothers inspired revusical A Day In Hollywood A Night In The Ukraine. 1983 brought a hit revival of Rodgers & Hart’s On Your Toes, and over the next decade there would be two Gershwin “revisals”, both of them so heavily reworked that they were given new titles: My One And Only in 1983, and Crazy For You in 1993. In between, came the Broadway debut of a 1937 London hit Me And My Girl in 1986. I would even include the 1980 blockbuster Annie in this category. Although it was, of course, an entirely new musical it certainly played on nostalgia for the comic strip and radio show Little Orphan Annie from the Depression Era, and smartly used that to echo the recession of the 1970’s. Some people would say that the Nostalgia Craze never ended, at least as far as Broadway is concerned.  Although, revivals of popular musicals have been part of the Broadway mix throughout most of its 120+ year history, the success of No, No, Nanette and its successors created a pattern and expectation that in every season – there should be at least enough revivals to fill out a Tony Award “Best Revival” category. And you could say that the immense popularity of City Center’s Encore Series is an extension of the Nostalgia Craze, as well. I for one hope that we will never tire of rediscovering and reinventing the great musicals of the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices