PARDO'S TURN: Recent Episodes
Dan Pardo
Hello! My name is Dan Pardo. I am a NYC-based music director, arranger, and pianist, and this is PARDO'S TURN, my Web Series/Podcast. In each episode, I will analyze an iconic showtune from a music director's point of view, and perform the song with some terrific friends and colleagues. If you're curious to hear how the construction of a melody relates to its lyric, the implications of a certain harmonization or rhythm, or what an orchestration choice might suggest, then please subscribe and take this journey with me!
Very happy to release this episode of Pardo's Turn with the legendary Karen Mason! The recent lifetime achievement award winner of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs discusses her dual career as a Broadway star and Cabaret artist, performing an original mash-up by her longtime friend and collaborator, Brian Lasser. She also talks about theatre during 9/11 and throws the great Robert Cuccioli under a bus!
In this episode, I chat with Broadway music director/arranger/orchestrator Joseph Church about his new book, ROCK IN THE MUSICAL THEATRE, now available through the Oxford University Press. We discuss his musical background, motivations for writing the book, the legacy of The Who's Tommy, maintaining vocal health, auditioning for rock shows, and more. We also discuss his first book, MUSIC DIRECTION FOR THE STAGE: A VIEW FROM THE PODIUM.
Pardo's Turn is back with the fabulous Catherine Porter! In this episode, we talk about her eclectic performance career, battling cancer, kissing Hugh Jackman, and standing by for Marin Mazzie as Diana in Next to Normal on Broadway.
In this episode of Pardo's Turn, the Bearded Broadway Bass, Adam Bashian, talks about his unique career as a bass in musical theatre, a cappella musicals, trusting audiences, and performs an excerpt from SWEENEY TODD. He also talks about his side hustle, selling macabre antiques, oddities, and artifacts.
In this episode of Pardo's Turn, I chat with Broadway veteran Elizabeth Ward Land about Andrew Lloyd Webber, 80s Mega-Musicals, all three iterations of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and her Linda Ronstadt Tribute, Still Within the Sound Of My Voice.We then perform "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard, which she played recently at the Mac-Haydn Theatre.
FINALLY finished with my Pardo's Turn hiatus after an intense month with I Spy A Spy - The Musical. So happy to invite on my buddy Jeff Kready, one of the most talented and friendly people you'll find on Broadway. We chat about music education, barbershop, his family, and standing by for Santino. We also perform a really great rendition of "Almost Like Being in Love" from BRIGADOON. Enjoy!
The Tonys took place on Sunday. Dan weighs in on the winners and [not winners] in addition to talking about the politics of the telecast, diversity, frontrunners, and this year's in memoriam.
In this special episode of PARDO'S TURN, the last in our first calendar year, Old School Broadway belter Klea Blackhurst talks about Mama Rose, Dolly Levi, her cabaret career, and the legendary Ethel Merman. We cap off the episode with a killer performance of "Some People" from GYPSY.
In this very brief episode, I talk about Rock Operas in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of The Who's Tommy.
So honored to have the multi-talented Bill Nolte on Pardo's Turn this week. Rather than diving into one of his classic stage roles, we discuss "Specialty Numbers" and do a signature turn from his club act, Billsville, that he's been performing for 20 years, but never on camera! We also talk about his fine artwork and some of the characters he's played.
In this episode, I chat with my friend Kate Sloat, a NYC-based harpist, about THE FANTASTICKS and the role of the harp within musical theatre orchestrations. We play through the Overture and one of El Gallo's underscored monologues.
Super fun extended episode of Pardo's Turn this week: Chrissy and I talk GREASE! We argue about the themes, discuss the various versions, and sing a couple tunes from the movie musical, too. Don't miss it!
On today's episode of Pardo's Turn, I scored a funny one: Broadway's Kirsten Wyatt, singing "Adelaide's Lament" from GUYS AND DOLLS. This certified star discusses her approach to comedy and character roles, in addition to talking about her web series Broadway Nosh, and an exciting upcoming project, Born For This. Enjoy!
A couple days late, but so happy to drop this episode of Pardo's Turn with the fabulous Zuri Washington. We talk about her involvement with Actors' Equity Association, diversity in casting, and perform "Colored Woman" from Memphis the Musical
In this special episode of Pardo's Turn, I sit down with the legendary Judy Blazer (The Fantasticks, Me and My Girl, Titanic, LoveMusik, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Encores! City Center, NYC Opera, countless Off-Broadway/regional credits) to talk about her teaching, her eclectic background, and the messy world of musical theatre.
In this episode of Pardo's Turn, I chat with Devin Ilaw about Filipinos, Food, and Frank Wildhorn! We sing through "Sarah" from the Civil War, talk about Devin's love for a "sad ballad" and also touch on some of the organizations Devin sings for as a way to give back to the community.
In this episode, Bronson Norris Murphy, hot off his tour as the Phantom in Love Never Dies,talks about the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and life on the road.
In this episode, I examine my friend Eli Bolin's song "Looking For Love" from the musical FOUND with lyrics by an unknown college student, lovelost@umich.edu. Performance and discussion by Eli's lovely wife Allison Jill Posner, who talks about the intersectionality of artistry and motherhood.
In this episode, Dan talks with Cooper Grodin about his unexpected road into musical theatre, and the song "Fathers and Sons," from WORKING, which they are opening this week at ACT of CT.
Your audition book is an important part of your career as an actor, and song selection is crucial! Don't try to find the perfect song(s) on paper by some algorithm or process of reverse engineering. Just use the KonMari method and ask yourself, does singing it spark joy?
Really happy to share this week's episode of Pardo's Turn with you all, featuring Birthday Boy F. Michael Haynie! We sing through his favorite audition cut, Mr. Curiosity by Jason Mraz, talk about pop music on Broadway, some past roles, and his association with fellow (M)orons Andrew Kober, Drew Gasparini, Alex Brightman, and (sometimes) Marc Summers.
In this extra long episode of Pardo's Turn, I chat with Tony Nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo about puppeteering, the legacy of AVENUE Q, the 2004 Tony Season, and even the SCRUBS musical episode!
In lieu of a standard song analysis, I got to sit down and interview Jekyll and Hyde himself, the wonderful Robert Cuccioli! We talk about his unexpected path into theatre, the double edged sword of playing an iconic role, recording his album, and more!
Musical theatre vet Jeff Williams talks about working with Cy Coleman, swinging on Broadway, and working on developmental shows in NYC. We perform "Double Talk" from CITY OF ANGELS.
This week on Pardo's Turn, I was lucky to have on Eric Ulloa to sing an excerpt from "The Gun Song," from Sondheim and Weidman's ASSASSINS. As the author of 26 Pebbles who recently played Jud Fry in Oklahoma at Theatre Under the Stars, his perspective is illuminating and fresh; we also have a great chat about diversity on stage, and his time with ON YOUR FEET!
Pardo's Turn is asking you all to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas this week, courtesy of my lovely wife, Chrissy. I talk about the phenomenon of Jewish songwriters and Christmas tunes, and then sing a classic by the gentile writing team, Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Chrissy reveals some facts about the original lyrics, too!
Interesting grab bag episode of Pardo's Turn this week. I talk about my friend’s’ podcast, Sean & Dave Make Music, field a few questions, do a pit tour of Goodspeed's Terris Theatre, and then release some more of the interview I had with Nick Choksi (Episode 22, Falling Slowly), where he talks about being an actor with a young child. Enjoy!
PARDO'S TURN is happy to revisit Fun Homewith Andrea Prestinario, who played Alison at the Weston Playhouse over the summer, and is gearing up to reprise the role at Baltimore Center Stage. We also talk about her organization Ring of Keysand what it's like to approach a role for a second time.
TV, Film, and Theatre vet Becky Ann Baker (Girls, Freaks and Geeks, Assassins, Good People, etc.) pays tribute to the recently departed Carol Hall by singing "Doatsey Mae" from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Becky recalls her time with Carol, and the country hit that helped launch her career.
In this special edition of Pardo's Turn, I discuss 29-Hour Readings while workshopping a new show in Toronto: Wally Flynn by Eli Bolin and Steven Gallagher.
In this episode, we are so lucky to have the fantastic Drew Davis. Known for starring roles in Paw Patrol, Justin Time, Big Top Academy, as well as the National Tours of Matilda and Les Mis, Drew talks about life as a child actor in Toronto and performs "For Forever" from Dear Evan Hansen.
In this special Election Day Episode of Pardo's Turn, I sit down with James Beaman to discuss 1776, the role of John Adams, and its resonance in 2018. Because of our remarkable (and lengthy!) discussion, I break form with this episode and forgo my usual song analysis.
Nick Choksi (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812) talks about being an actor-musician on Broadway and beyond. He is joined by my wife Chrissy to perform "Falling Slowly" from Once.
Beyond elated to have a Tony nominated legend on Pardo's Turn this week, singing one of my all-time favorite songs that she originated on Broadway! Everybody Rise for the great Barbara Walsh!
For the 20th Episode of Pardo's Turn, I happily invited on Israeli crooner Isaac Sutton to discuss "The World's Most Popular Musical," Les Misérables. He performs Javert's signature soliloquy, "Stars," and talks about being an international artist.
Erin Mackey and I discuss what it's like playing a classic ingenue with a modern sensibility through the lens of Sarah Brown, a role she has yet to play! We also chat about the challenges and rewards of being in Broadway's first a cappella musical, In Transit. My analysis for "If I Were a Bell" mostly focuses on Sarah Brown being drunk, and the fun ways Frank Loesser chose to musicalize it.
The Organized Actor herself, Leslie Becker, comes on to sing Jerry Herman's classic "If He Walked Into My Life" from MAME. We talk about Jerry Herman, his female-centric shows, and his strong melodies, in addition to discussing Leslie's own writing.
The delightful Jenn Gambatese rediscovers the role of Annie Oakley, which she performed at Goodspeed in 2010 with "I Got Lost In His Arms." As a scholar and a music geek, she combed through the analysis with me for this episode, discussing the melodic contour, and the function of a few key chords. She also discusses her new organization, Broadway Heals.
In this special edition, I answer questions from my listeners, about the Golden Age of Broadway, audition etiquette, and more!
Joan Almedilla, who played Lady Thiang in the National Tour of THE KING AND I with her son CJ Uy, talks about life on the road with her family, working with Bart Sher, and playing this iconic role. The analysis was one of my favorites to unpack; don't miss this episode!
Broadway Baritone Ben Davis sings "Were Thine That Special Face" from Cole Porter's KISS ME KATE. My analysis covers the song's seductive harmony, and Porter's use of the "beguine." The discussion with Ben centers mostly on being a baritone in the 21st century, and performing in venues, both big and small.
Broadway Ensemblist and Disney aficionado Bret Shuford sings and discusses one of the great showstoppers of our time, "Be Our Guest." My analysis talks about its elegant, step-wise motion, and slick arrangement. Our conversation focuses about working for various facets of the Disney organization, the legacy of original Lumieres Jerry Orbach and Gary Beach, and one of Bret's amazing audition stories.
Elizabeth Stanley sings the gorgeous Blitzstein aria "I Wish It So" from JUNO, which she discovered by listening to the solo album by Dawn Upshaw of the same title. We talk about its operetta-type style, her classical roots, and the diverse career she has built for herself on the stage, from On the Town to Jagged Little Pill.
In this episode, my old friend Tim McDevitt and I talk about Leonard Bernstein, in celebration of his centennial, and perform "Lucky To Be Me" from ON THE TOWN. Tim discusses the many opportunities he's had because of Bernstein's legacy: multiple concert productions of both West Side Story and his Mass, the latter of which he recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. We also talk about our trips to Japan, and how the international audience has embraced this important composer of both classical music and musical theatre.
My hometown hero, Danny Gardner, sings and dances one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time, the title sequence of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. We have a great discussion about the film, the role, and his long history with it. Did you know that Gene Kelly danced in character shoes and dubbed in the taps later? I didn't!
NYC vocal ensemble Marquee Five continues the celebration of Leonard Bernstein with their arrangement of "Something's Comin'." I have been playing with M5 for the past few years, since we all did a production of CITY OF ANGELS together at the Goodspeed Opera House. Members are Sierra Rein, Lynsey Buckelew, Vanessa Parvin, Mick Bleyer, and Adam West Hemming, who is also their arranger/MD.
My amazing wife steps away from behind the camera to perform and discuss one of our favorite songs, "Maybe" from Annie. In my analysis, I discuss the smart marriage of music and lyrics, the key mapping of the bridge, and the overall under-appreciation of ANNIE as a musical. Chrissy's conversation is mostly about how ANNIE inspires countless young girls to start singing, and how the song "Maybe" still has resonance for adults, especially those who may have been adopted at an early age.
Broadway heartthrob James Snyder sings and discusses "If I Loved You" from the R&H classic, CAROUSEL. The analysis contrasts this complex and musically dense "not at all in love" type song with its simpler counterparts from other shows. James and I also talk about navigating the monumental "Bench Scene," and his own history with Billy Bigelow, as his wife was pregnant with their first child.
Broadway vet and regional star Ellen Harvey takes her turn as Mrs. Lovett from Stephen Sondheim's musical thriller, SWEENEY TODD. We discuss the challenges and gifts that come with preparing a Sondheim role, the use of the waltz throughout the score, and her non-stop patter lyrics. Don't miss this powerhouse performance by a real pro of the stage.
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of music-directing FUN HOME at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont. Our Small Alison, Ava Lynn Vercellone, came on to sing the powerful "Ring of Keys." My analysis focuses on the song's instrumentation, smart use of rhythm in the vocal line, and registration shift in the bridge. Ava talks about sharing a role with two other talented actresses, working in an intimate theater, and making friends with her young co-stars.
Rather than singing one song, this episode contrasts two of Eliza Doolittle's ditties: "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" with "I Could Have Danced All Night." The analysis talks about the comparative vocal range, tempo, harmony, and style. The conversation with Julie Benko discusses the current revival, the false notion that it's not a feminist musical, and her new album, DISCOVERING JULIE BENKO! Enjoy.
Welcome to Pardo's Turn! In this short teaser, I describe what you will hear and come to expect in subsequent episodes: Approachable musical analysis, fantastic guests and performances, stirring conversations, fun bonus material, and a genuine love and admiration for the songs we're placing under the microscope.
Susan Haefner performs and discusses Harlold Arlen's classic "It's Only a Paper Moon," which she performed in the original musical TENDERLY, the story of Rosemary Clooney. We discuss how this standard of the American Songbook can be stretched in a number of different directions, and try out two renditions: an uptempo, and a ballad. Susan also talks about transitioning from New York as a Broadway actor to the quiet hills of Vermont, where she teaches, and works steadily at three regional theaters in the surrounding area. Also, forgive the somewhat random insertion of the theme to "The Third Man." I had some technical difficulties in the web series version of the episode, and was scrolling a disclaimer at that point. (It didn't really translate to the podcast)
During my regular interview with Susan Haefner, we got on a long tangent about one of our favorite shows, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. It was too off-topic to include, but too good not to share!
In the inaugural episode of Pardo's Turn, Broadway legend Chuck Cooper, best known for his Tony Award-winning performance in THE LIFE sings the iconic "Ol' Man River" from the groundbreaking 1927 musical SHOW BOAT. The analysis centers on the use of the pentatonic scale, and some clever reharmonizations. Chuck and I discuss the historical significance of the song, and his personal journey with it, especially in relation to the Paul Robeson lyrics, which he sang for its rendition in PRINCE OF BROADWAY.
In this third episode, BE MORE CHILL star Lauren Marcus sings one of our favorite songs from one of our favorite shows, "Somewhere That's Green" from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. We discuss the strength of the writing, the under-appreciation of the show among musical theatre elites, her unique history with the character of Audrey, and her approach to characters that are often painted with a broad brush.
Noël Coward Award Winner and three time Drama Desk Nominee Nancy Anderson masterfully performs the American Songbook Standard, "What'll I Do?" by Irving Berlin. My analysis focuses primarily on Berlin's use of mode mixture, while our discussion centers on the transition from American Operetta to Depression-Era Melancholy.