Putting It Together (Podcast)

Company was the "coming out" of Stephen Sondheim as a composer to be reckoned with. In this episode Eric Matthew Richardson returns to talk about the 1970s, minimalism, and why a show that shouldn't work absolutely does.

On this episode Kyle invites on Juan Quibrera to share and swear together. This is the first song to feature the character Joanne. Her observations help to inform the entire show. But there's a lot to unpack with these lyrics about relationships.

Tara Young was born and raised in Alberta. She dreamed of working in the theatre and by 20 had already had the fortune of dancing on stage with Liza Minnelli. Soon after Susan Stroman selected her to work on Celebration of Sondheim at Carnegie Hall. In this interview you'll hear about her career but more importantly about Tara's life and what she finds the most joy in now.

The definitive list of the best songs Stephen Sondheim wrote before 1970. Or, at least, the definitive list until I change my mind.

How can you feel sorry and grateful at the same time? I'm sure the Germans have a word for it. Lauren Shippen joins Kyle to discuss this odd feeling along with relationships and vulnerabilities.

No bulls needed to be coerced in the recording of this podcast. Christine Chen returns to unpack the word "crazy" and discuss if changing the original lyrics of this song was a good idea.

A bunch of guys try to convince Bobby to tell them about his sexual conquests. But maybe there's more to this song than that? Matt McClendon joins Kyle to discuss the Kamasutra and Sazerac Slings.

Someone Is Waiting contains foreshadowing for a couple of songs that appear in Company later in the show. Federico Tedeschi returns to explain why this is such an important song. Plus, a formal apology is given for the events of last week.

By bus, train, or plane people keep coming to New York. Matthew Sampson joins Kyle to discuss a song that was written for a specific performer but hides a whole lot of meaning to the rest of the show.

A wedding day can be stressful. The character Amy decides to sing through her anxiety as fast as she possibly can. Kyle is joined by Hallie Casey to discuss relationships, updated lyrics, and a book written in 1852.

How, exactly, do you marry someone a little? That's what Darby Turnbull and Kyle discuss in this last song of Act One. It seems like Bobby's delusions are getting the best of him. Plus the conversation drifts into topics of mental health, Showboat, and stress eating.

Victoria Gordon will be starring in Sondheim on Sunday: A 90th Birthday Salute. Victoria is an acclaimed performer, director, and producer based out of Los Angeles. In this episode she discusses with Kyle her inspirations, her love of Sondheim, and why her concert was always inevitable.

Act 2 of Company opens with an ode to vaudeville. Dr. Ashley Pribyl joins Kyle to discuss how this upbeat song is actually incredibly sad. And what do all those numbers mean?

Maternalistic worries, dance breaks, and hot sex. That about sums up Poor Baby and Tick Tock. Two songs which are intertwined with each other. Adrianna Boris joins Kyle to break it all down as well as tell some stories about Elaine Stritch.

Is Barcelona an example of masculine apathy, or is Bobby actually trying to find a connection? Alex Luber joins Kyle to discuss that and some of the other oddities of this song.

Here's to the crowd that just listens! Jonathan Chisolm returns to discuss Elaine Stritch, Mahler, and the girls who just watch. Plus a great discussion on who has performed this song the best.

Michael Price is a writer for The Simpsons and the creator of F Is for Family. He joins Kyle to discuss one of the most important (if not THE most important) song from Stephen Sondheim's career.

You might think that disco and Sondheim don't go together. But Joshua Hinck and Scott Wasserman are two of the collaborators that put together a fusion of Stephen Sondheim's lyrical beauty with the distinctive musical style that defines disco.

This is what its all been leading to. Being Alive is the culmination of the entire show. Eric Matthew Richardson returns to discuss being held too tight and why Kyle is sitting in his chair.