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BROADWAY NATION

BROADWAY NATION

By: Broadway Podcast Network
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 A lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process.In Season One, host David Armstrong traces the evolution of American Musical Theater from its birth at the dawn of the 20th Century, through its mid-century “Golden Age”, and right up to its current 21st Century renaissance; and also explore how musicals have reflected and shaped our world -- especially in regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, and equality.Broadway Podcast Network Art Entertainment & Performing Arts World
Episodes
  • BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, part 1

    BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, part 1
    Jun 19 2025
    In this episode Albert Evans and I explore the origins of Broadway’s “Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s” — where it came from, and what artistic, social and cultural forces came together to spark this unlikely phenomenon. We trace its origins in the counterculture youth rebellion of the 1960s, the rediscovery of films from the 1930s and 40s on television, and the popularization of gay camp culture via the off-off Broadway mega hit DAMES AT SEA. All of this would lead to the triumphant 1971 Broadway revival of NO, NO, NANETTE — the Vincent Youmans/Irving Ceasar/Otto Harbach musical comedy that has introduced the songs “Tea For Two” and “I Want To Be Happy” way back in the Roaring 20s. With a heavily retooled book, sparkling new orchestrations and arrangements, and a snazzy, art deco-inspired set and costume design, this reincarnation of No, No, Nanette was billed as “the new 1925 musical”. And it became a smash hit, running 861 performances, and winning 4 Tony Awards for Choreography, Costume Design, and for two of its stars, Helen Gallagher, and another vintage movie star, comedian Patsy Kelly (there was no "Best Revival category then). And, after years of it being almost entirely absent from Broadway — Nanette brought tap dancing back into fashion in a major way. Most significantly, Nanette fanned a mania for everything and anything that recalled the music, style, and glamour of the 20s, 30s and 40s. The press dubbed this mania “The Nostalgia Craze” as it quickly spread into every aspect of American life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Episode 179: THE QUEER PIONEERS OF BROADWAY MUSICAL STAGING

    Episode 179: THE QUEER PIONEERS OF BROADWAY MUSICAL STAGING
    Jun 12 2025
    This episode is adapted from a section of my new upcoming book, Broadway Nation — How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical, which will be released on July 24 (and can be preordered now everywhere books are sold.) In 1919, two gifted young Queer theater artists — Hassard Short and John Murray Anderson —both made their Broadway directing debuts and quickly established themselves as significant forces in the development of the Broadway musical. Even though their names and their work are seldom remembered or acknowledged today, In my view they are, without a doubt, two of the principal inventors of the singular art and craft of Broadway musical staging. Working as competitive colleagues and rivals, they were among the very first to discover and reveal the tremendous impact that dynamic musical staging can provide to a Broadway musical and among the very first to demonstrate how staging and choreography can often be of equal importance to a show’s book, music, and lyrics. Between them, John Murray Anderson and Hassard Short staged more than 70 Broadway musicals, and in the process forged a path that a long line of remarkable (and predominantly gay) directors and choreographers have followed right up to today, including this past week’s Tony Award-nominees and Tony winners. Whether they know it or not, they all stand on the shoulders of these forgotten giants, Hassard Short and John Murray Anderson. Today, I am honored to share at least a small piece of their story. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members. 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. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Episode 178: The Show Goes On, Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements, part 2.

    Episode 178: The Show Goes On, Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements, part 2.
    Jun 5 2025
    This week’s episode of Broadway Nation is the second half of my conversation with author Ron Fassler, whose latest book is titled The Show Goes On — Broadway Hirings, Firings, and Replacements. Among the outstanding Broadway performers and creatives who are at the center Ron’s fascinating stories include Abe Burrows, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Comden & Green, Cynthia Erivo, Fantasia, Frank Loesser, Gower Champion, Harold Prince, Howard Keel, Iva Withers, Jane Russell, Jeff Conaway, Jerry Orbach, Jerry Zaks, Jo Swerling, John Cullum, John Kander & Fred Ebb, John Travolta, LaChanze, Leonard Bernstein, Leroy Anderson, Lewis J. Stadlin, Michael Bennett, Michelle Lee, Robert Preston, Rosalind Russell, Shelly Winters, Sheila Smith and Yvonne De Carlo. And the musicals referenced include 1776, Carousel, Company, Follies, Grease, Guys And Dolls, How To Succeed in Business, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Mack & Mabel, Minnie’s Boys, Oklahoma!, The Color Purple, Wonderful Town and more! Ron Fassler is a historian, theater critic, and former actor whose previous book is, Up in the Cheap Seats — A Theatrical Memoir of Broadway. Become A PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club Members, such as Carl Baldasso. 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
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David Armstrong is easy to listen to. The episodes are informative and entertaining. The perspectives and stories are unique and delightful. Every musical theatre fan should be listening. Thank you for this!

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