We pick one musical theater song, and then we pick it apart to figure out how it works in the context of the show. How do the music, lyrics, character, and stor...
What's more important than a perfect rhyme? A perfect scan. Every stress in the lyrics must fit with the stresses in the music. This is why (good) musical theater writers stress about stresses. Host writer/composer David Rackoff looks at what that means, how it works, and what it sounds like when it doesn't work. Examples (some good, some not-so-good) from "Into the Woods", "Defying Gravity", "Sunset Blvd.", and "Sweeney Todd". If you've never thought about this before, you will after listening to this episode!Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.
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15:31
Hasa Diga Eebowai (from The Book of Mormon)
Does it mean, "No worries for the rest of your days"? Kind of... This is one of the most shocking, funniest, and perhaps deepest songs in all of musical theater. The makers of "South Park" have created this delightful bit of blasphemy. Host writer/composer David Rackoff takes a close look at the music, lyrics, and context of this song. And we discuss who exactly should be offended by it. The answers may surprise you!Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.
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27:50
What Technically Is a Rhyme? (mini pod)
You think you know what a rhyme is... But do you really? in this first mini-pod, we look at what is (and, more interestingly) what isn't a rhyme. Then host writer/composer David Rackoff plays a game where you have a moment to decide if a particular rhyme is really a rhyme! Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.
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10:06
Part of Your World (from The Little Mermaid)
Is this the best “I Want” song of all time? Host writer/composer David Rackoff dives deep (sorry) into this fantastic Alan Menkin & Howard Ashman creation. The craftsmanship of this emotional, funny, charming song is quite a remarkable… what’s the word? Oh yeah. Feat.Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.
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27:16
Rose's Turn (from Gypsy)
In our season 1 finale, writer/composer David Rackoff tackles what may be the grandest achievement in musical theater songwriting. "Rose's Turn" is a mad scene, an aria, a showcase for the best musical theater actresses of all time. Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne, and Jerome Robbins created this monster of a song, and we get to dig into it to figure out how it works. This is an exciting episode (with some controversial opinions from host David Rackoff!) How do you like them egg rolls, Mr. Goldstone?Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.
We pick one musical theater song, and then we pick it apart to figure out how it works in the context of the show. How do the music, lyrics, character, and story all flow from one amazing song to become something more than the sum of its parts? Host writer/composer David Rackoff does his best to explain it all.
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