Happy Birthday Broadway Nation!: Special Anniversary Encore

05/13/25 • 33 min

It's hard for me to believe that I launched this podcast exactly five years ago this week, and even harder for me to comprehend that, to date, more than 279,000 people, from nearly every country in the world, have listened to at least one, and in many cases all, of the 175 episodes!

So, today it seemed fitting to rerelease the episode that started it all — the very first episode of Broadway Nation: George M. Cohan and the Immigrants Who Invented Broadway.

As you will hear, at the time, we were still trying to figure out exactly how to make a podcast, so the production quality is not up to my current standards. However, the content and subject matter are still, I believe, essential to fully understanding and appreciating the remarkable history of the Broadway Musical.

Happy birthday, Broadway Nation, and thank you all!

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So, today it seemed fitting to rerelease the episode that started it all — the very first episode of Broadway Nation: George M. Cohan and the Immigrants Who Invented Broadway.

Happy birthday, Broadway Nation, and thank you all!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

Episode 175: THE OTHER GERSHWIN, part 3, with MICHAEL OWEN

This is the third and final segment of my conversation with Michael Owen, author of the recent book, Ira Gershwin — A Life in Words.

On this episode, Michael and I focus on the period of Ira Gershwin’s career following the death of his brother George, during which he had success on Broadway and in Hollywood with composers such as Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern, Arthur Schwartz, and Harold Arlen, and shows and movies such as Lady In the Dark,The Barkleys Of Broadway, and A Star Is Born,

If you missed the first two parts in this series, you may want to catch up with those before listening to this one.

Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!

This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members, such as Cheryl Hodges Seldon.

If you are a fan of Broadway Nation, I invite you to become a PATRON! For as little as $7.00 a month, you can receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact, I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. And you will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. And all patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast.

And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits.

If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link:

⁠⁠https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/⁠⁠

Thank you in advance for your support!

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Next Episode

Episode 176: In Memory of CHARLES STROUSE

I, along with the rest of the musical theater world, was saddened to learn that composer CHARLES STROUSE, one of the last of the great creators from the Golden Age of Broadway had passed away last week at the age of 96.

Of course, Strouse and his three Tony Award-winning “Best Musicals": Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie — have been discussed frequently on this podcast. So over the weekend, I dug deep into the archives of Broadway Nation and newly adapted a section of my upcoming book regarding the musical Golden Boy and wove it all together to create this tribute episode, including an excerpt from my 2021 interview with Applause original cast member Lee Roy Reams.

I am also delighted to report that a brand-new production of Bye Bye Birdie will open on June 10 at The 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, where it will play through June 29. If you are in Seattle, or can get there, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience the musical and theatrical magic of Charles Strouse.

Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation!

This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members, such as Taryn Darr.

And If you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits.

If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link:

⁠⁠⁠https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/⁠⁠⁠

Thank you in advance for your support!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices