The Curtain Call: Recent Episodes
Michael Heiter
This is a podcast dedicated to musicals primarily from the Classic era – the late 1930s to the mid-1980s. We are a completely independent operation and are not affiliated with any other organization or entity. We do not have any advertising. To quote the late comedian, Stan Freberg, this show is brought to you by me.
The legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on a series of poems by T.S. Eliot, and featuring the international hit, "Memory".
One of the first musicals inspired by rock and roll. Winner of four Tony Awards. That show that introduced Dick Van Dyke to the world. #byebyebirdie, #dickvandyke, #rockandroll, #paullynde, #chitarivera, #tonyawards, #gowerchampion
A dream cast presentation of the Kander-Ebb classic with an all-star cast including James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth. Jerry Orbach, Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon.
Tribute to composer/lyricist Frank Loesser with selections from his shows, movies and songs.
The legend of King Arthur and the Round Table gets turned on its head by the Monty Python troupe.
The only musical based on a movie that starred Jimmy Stewart. A story of the Civil War, and how it affected one family,
A presentation of "The Heavenly Musical" - "Forever Plaid". A show saluting the close-harmony guy groups of the 1950s. How does country music legend Bonnie Raitt have with "Forever Plaid"? What happened when Stan Freberg spoofed "Cry"? Listen, and find out!
The Original Broadway Cast Album of "Cabaret", by John Kander and Fred Ebb, featuring Joel Grey and Jill Haworth.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/dp5edwjk
One of the most popular musicals of all time, featuring some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beautiful ballads. Starring Yul Brynner in his iconic performance as the King of Siam, along with the rarely heard "Small House of Uncle Thomas Ballet".
One of the most groundbreaking musicals of all time. The 1997 Best Musical Tony Awards® winner, "The Lion King" featuring music by Elton John and Tim Rice. The score features "Hakuna Matata", "Circle of Life", even "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"! Trivia: What song was cut from the score in 2010? Give a listen, and find out! Here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/ydejz2zx
The story of the founding of our country, told with a little bit of everything - drama, comedy, even love, and not just of the idea of freedom. Tony Award winner for Best Musical. As things are now, in some ways, so they were before the beginning. It's all found here:
A selection of some of the greatest opening songs in musical theater history. The performers include Robert Morse, Joel Grey, Richard Kiley, Chita Rivera, even Bugs Bunny!
LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yjkt2ks3
A triple-legend package. The legendary Ethel Merman, in one of her signature roles, as the legendary Annie Oakley in a show featuring music and lyrics by the legendary Irving Berlin. Features such classics as "There's No Business Like Show Business", "You Can't Get a Man With a Gun", and "Doin' What Comes Naturally".
The original Roxy Cast recording of the show that became one of the great social phenomena of the 20th century. Everybody get ready to do the Time Warp! Trivia question: Who is the only performer to be in all of the major productions of the show?
The legendary Frank Loesser's masterpiece - "The Most Happy Fella". It's the story of a May/December romance. One of the few shows recorded intact. The songs include "Big D", "Joey, Joey, Joey", and "Standin' on the Corner".
Hello, Troopers! This time, we're going on the most famous voyage ever. The 1997 Best Musical "Titanic" by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone, featuring Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, and Brian d'Arcy James. Make ready to cast off!
Remarkable performances by some of the greatest male performers of all time, with a range that covers almost 70 years. In addition to the ever popular Robert Morse, Jerry Orbach, and the like, there are even a couple of people you might not expect to be in this group. As an extra added bonus, a brief lesson in sports history is included at no extra charge.
Hello, Troopers! The newest edition of The Curtain Call presents Meredith Willson's classic tale of life in small-town America in the early days of the 20th century, "The Music Man" starring two legends, Barbara Cook and Robert Preston.
Did you know that "76 Trombones" and "Goodnight My Someone" have something in common, besides authorship. Do you know what it is? Give a listen, and find out.
"The Music Man" won 5 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, beating out "West Side Story" for the honor.
Here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/y3a4gqw9
The music and story of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera", the longest-running show in Broadway history, and the third longest in London history. Winner of seven Tony Awards®. Starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.
The music and story of George Gershwin's masterpiece, "Porgy and Bess" with a few bits of Black history you probably never knew before. The score includes "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So". It stands as one of the most controversial shows in Broadway history. Give a listen, and find out why.
Hello, Troopers! A suggestion from one of you is the show for the newest edition. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s only musical for television, the story of the most famous slipper in history, “Cinderella”. This is the 1965 edition, which starred Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon.
One interesting thing about this is that many of the cast members won every major award in Entertainment, except the Tony! Take a look:
Stuart Damon – Prince: Emmy Award, Supporting Actor Drama Series, “General Hospital” 1999
Jo Van Fleet – Stepmother: Oscar, Best Supporting Actress, “East of Eden” 1955
Celeste Holm – Fairy Godmother: Oscar, Best Supporting Actress, “Gentleman’s Agreement” 1947
Pat Carroll – Stepsister: Emmy Award, “Caesar’s Hour” 1956; Grammy Award, Spoken Word, “Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein” 1980
The music and story of "Guys and Dolls"
CREATIVE:Music and Lyrics Frank Loesser
Won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Book Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling*
Based on Stories by Damon Runyon
1950 PRODUCTION:
Director George S. Kaufman*
Was a member of the legendary Algonquin "Round Table"
Nicely-Nicely Johnson Stubby Kaye
Appeared in the film version
Benny Southstreet Johnny Silver
The music and story of Man of La Mancha.
DETAILSOriginal Broadway Production November 22, 1965-June 26, 1971
Music Mitch Leigh (1928-2014)
Lyrics Joe Darion (1911-2001)
Book Dale Wasserman (1914-2008)
Director Albert Marre (1924-2012)
Don Quixote/Miguel de Cervantes Richard Kiley (1922-1999)
Aldonza/Dulcinea Joan Deiner (1930-2006)
Sancho Irving Jacobson (1898-1978)
The Padre Robert Rounseville (1914-1974)
The Innkeeper Ray Middleton (1907-1984)
TRIVIA
Director Albert Marre was married to Joan Deiner (Aldonza) until her death in 2006, at which time he married Mimi Turque (Antonia) until his death.
Hello, Troopers! Our newest edition is one of the most groundbreaking shows in Broadway history: “A Chorus Line”. The story of what some people will do for love.
WARNING: This show contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.
Here is the link to the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1188566/5561326-a-chorus-line.mp3?blob_id=22724707&download=true
Now, you can listen to it. “From the top! A 5-6-7-8!!!”
Music and story of Hair. Warning: This show contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.