10 episodes

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has created a companion podcast featuring his never-before-heard, taped audio interviews with legendary artists from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Patti LuPone, and so many more.
Michael presents the drama behind the decade’s mega-hits and shocking flops, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation. Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on.
Visit http://bpn.fm/singularsensation for early episode access, to learn more, and be sure to get the book here: https://amzn.to/4cNdfO3

Singular Sensation: The Podcast Broadway Podcast Network

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 13 Ratings

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has created a companion podcast featuring his never-before-heard, taped audio interviews with legendary artists from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Patti LuPone, and so many more.
Michael presents the drama behind the decade’s mega-hits and shocking flops, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation. Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on.
Visit http://bpn.fm/singularsensation for early episode access, to learn more, and be sure to get the book here: https://amzn.to/4cNdfO3

    Rent #1: Creator Jonathan Larson, Early Days

    Rent #1: Creator Jonathan Larson, Early Days

    Listen in on this never before heard, very candid interview with Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s father, Allan Larson, and Jonathan’s sister, Julie Larson, as they share stories about Jonathan’s early passion for musical theatre, his extraordinary early musical gifts, and Jonathan’s deep desire to make musical theater relevant again for a whole new generation.
    This episode contains excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interview with Allan and Julie Larson for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. 
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    • 40 min
    Rent #2: Creator Jonathan Larson, Boho Days to Rent

    Rent #2: Creator Jonathan Larson, Boho Days to Rent

    How did Rent get to Broadway? The trajectory is unexpected and spectacular. Producer Robyn Goodman, Artistic Director Jim Nicola, and Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s father and sister recount Rent’s trajectory from blank page to the show’s monumental New York Theatre Workshop production. Theatre would never be the same.  
    This episode contains excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.
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    • 33 min
    Get Ready for Rent

    Get Ready for Rent

    Based on Michael Riedel’s spectacular book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, the Rent miniseries explores the creation of the landmark musical with those who were there. Rent marks a major turning point in the history of American musical theatre. Before Rent, the British spectacles dominated - Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Sunset Boulevard. When Rent, composed and written by Jonathan Larson, exploded onto the scene, the show ignited huge excitement from a young audience and changed the entire trajectory of the art form forever.  


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    • 2 min
    Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 1

    Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 1

    Did you know Andrew Lloyd Webber was not the first famous composer to consider turning Sunset Boulevard into a musical? Join host Michael Riedel in a rarified, behind-the-curtain conversation with legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber as he recounts the decision to hire Patti LuPone to star as Norma Desmond in the London production of Sunset Boulevard and how the decision to bring the musical to Los Angeles before Broadway ignited one of the biggest feuds in Broadway history.
    This episode contains excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. Early access to the latest episodes is available exclusively through http://bpn.fm/singularsensation.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 24 min
    Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 2

    Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber - Part 2

    As we continue our deep dive into Sunset Boulevard, Andrew Lloyd Webber talks about Patti LuPone’s fierce competitiveness with Glenn Close…and how this sparked Patti’s infamous feud with Andrew - a painful experience for Andrew that took a significant toll on him personally.
    This episode contains excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. Early access to the latest episodes is available exclusively through http://bpn.fm/singularsensation.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 26 min
    Sunset Boulevard: Glenn Close - Part 1

    Sunset Boulevard: Glenn Close - Part 1

    Tony-winning star Glenn Close shares her Norma Desmond memories from her first Sunset Boulevard audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber, to her experience launching a show about a Hollywood star in Hollywood, to Close originating the role on Broadway. 
    This episode contains excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interview with Glenn Close for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. Early access to the latest episodes is available exclusively through http://bpn.fm/singularsensation.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

NYChusbands ,

I'm sorry happy this exists!

This is such a niche story but I'm delighted someone took the time to document it so thoroughly!!

Seat Diva ,

What a gem!

Loved the book, but to hear these fabulous Broadway stars being interviewed is phenomenal! Thanks for sharing these great discussions (and many inside scoops!) with us.

ChrisTyler1288 ,

Dishy!

An absolute perfect listen for any Broadway fan, but specifically if you’re a fan of Sunset Boulevard, like I am, because this podcast dives deep into the history of the troubled development.

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