PODCAST · arts
Putting It Together
by Kyle Marshall
This is a podcast about Stephen Sondheim's entire body of work show by show and song by song. Each week Kyle Marshall invites an expert to discuss a Sondheim song in-depth. Together they discover the humour, how the songs inform character, and any hidden meanings. Most importantly they try to understand the man behind the music, the Shakespeare of our time, as best they can.
Episodes
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That Was a Year – Road Show (with Christine Chen)
Who doesn't want to spend a year with Willie Mizner? Christine Chen returns to explore this sequence in Road Show, how it compares to a similar song in Bounce, and tries to understand why people are so enamoured with this guy. Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's...
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I Love This Town – Bounce (with Alex Asp)
A counterpoint to Addison's Trip. Alex Asp returns to discuss how this informs Wilson's character, the importance of Nellie, and the important of bon vivants. Follow Alex on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alexasp44/ Look at the Sondheim Database project here:...
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The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened – Bounce & Road Show (with Matt Koplik)
It started off as a song between Wilson and his girlfriend, but ended up being a song between Addison and his boyfriend. Matt Koplik returns to discuss the differences in how this song is presented in Bounce and Road Show, and whether this is the last great Sondheim composition. You can listen to...
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Addison's Trip – Bounce & Road Show (with Jim Cullen)
What's a guy to do when even his own parents like his brother more? Head out on the road! Jim Cullen returns to discuss how the song Addison's Trip survived every version of the show and changed along the way. Find Jim on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcullen18/ Or email him at:...
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Next to You – Bounce (with Shannon Dohar)
Does this song even need to be in the show? Shannon Dohar returns to try and answer that question and unpack other bizarre decisions in Bounce. You can listen to Shannon's podcast, So Much Stuff to Sing, here: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com And you can follow Shannon on Instagram:...
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Matthew Gardiner on Merrily and Follies at Signature Theatre
Matthew Gardiner is the Artistic Director at Signature Theatre. He joins Kyle to discuss their production of Merrily We Roll Along, which is currently playing. He also gives a sneak peak at Follies which will play later in 2027. Signature Theatre website: https://www.sigtheatre.org Merrily We…
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The Game – Bounce & Road Show (with Shannon Migliore)
The character motivation for Wilson is all laid out in the song "The Game." Shannon Migliore returns to discuss the slight differences between how it appears in Bounce, versus how it shows up in Road Show. Neither really understands poker. Follow Shannon on Instagram:...
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Brotherly Love – Road Show (with Evan Lopes)
The last song written for the show(s) is a sweet tune about two brothers. Does it add anything? Evan Lopes joins Kyle to figure that out. Learn more about SPARC Theater by clicking here. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its...
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Kennedy Caughell "Just the Beginning" – Sondheim Adjacent
Kennedy Caughell joins Kyle to discuss her debut album, Just the Beginning, which highlights a variety of stellar musicals in which she has appeared, including Wicked, 9 to 5, and Waitress. Also on the album is a cover of "Being Alive." To pre-order the album you can click here. Follow Kennedy on...
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What's Your Rush – Bounce (with Dimitris Dimopoulos)
If I had a nickel for every time a character in a Sondheim show, named Nellie, asked the question "what's your rush?" I'd have ten cents. That's kinda weird isn't it? Dimitris Dimopoulos returns to discuss what is, perhaps, the least remembered song from the show(s). Follow Dimitris on Instagram....
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Gold! – Bounce & Road Show (with Will C. White)
Gold! The Mizner brothers are headed for Alaska to find their fortune. Will C. White returns to discuss this song's history throughout the iterations of the show and some of the tricky wordplay within. Check out Will's website. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date...
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It's In Your Hands Now – Road Show (with Charlotte LeMay)
Papa's message to his sons becomes far less comedic in Road Show. And if the melody sounds familiar that's because you may have heard it in a cut song from Assassins! Charlotte LeMay returns to discuss the purpose for this song in the show and whether the message actually lands. You can contact...
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Opportunity – Bounce (with Erik Stadnik)
Sometimes you just need to sing about the American Dream. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss the purpose of this song to Bounce and whether it's even needed. Erik's podcast So Much Stuff to Sing: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com Erik's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjcaustenite.bsky.social...
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Waste – Road Show (with Mike Meaney)
Mike Meaney returns to the podcast to discuss whether the opening number to Bounce/Road Show was ever figured out, or whether it was just a waste. Follow Mike on Instagram. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media...
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Bounce (with Richard Kind)
Richard Kind learned to do what counts, by knowing when to pounce, and dishes about Bounce. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcast Twitter:...
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If the Stars Were Mine with Claybourne Elder
Claybourne Elder joins the podcast to discuss his latest album If the Stars Were Mine. Plus, he reveals where he feels the spirit of Sondheim to this day. Center Stage Records is behind the release of If the Stars Were Mine, the debut album from Claybourne Elder who is best known for starring in...
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Anyone Can Whistle: A Sondheim Journey with Laurent Ziliani
In honour of Sondheim's birthday this is a conversation with Laurent Ziliani about his new album Anyone Can Whistle: A Sondheim Journey which is a deeply personal album reimagining the music of Stephen Sondheim through jazz, big band, and intimate vocal arrangements. Available now on all…
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Saturday Night with Christine Chen
Saturday Nights turns into Sunday Afternoons. Christine Chen joins Kyle to continue the discussion about Sondheim first show that was shelved for five decades. Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArch Christine's podcast,...
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Saturday Night with Eric Henwood-Greer
What would have happened had Saturday Night come out in the mid-1950s? Eric Henwood-Greer joins Kyle to discuss that and other matter related to a young man's first work. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media...
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Wicked: For Good and Blue Moon – Sondheim Adjacent
This month a quick discussion on two recent film. First, the mega blockbuster Wicked: For Good. Second, the small character piece Blue Moon. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon:...
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An update about the podcast and me
Just an update about me (Kyle) and what to expect from the podcast over the next year. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/puttingittogetherpodcast Twitter:...
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Sweeney Todd: Behind the Bloody Musical Masterpiece with Rick Pender
Rick Pender returns to discuss his latest book Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: Behind the Bloody Musical Masterpiece. Purchase the book by clicking here. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon:...
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Dainty June and Her Farmboys with Christine Chen
This song is probably the only time in Gypsy where June gets to have a showstopper of a performance. Christine Chen returns to give her thoughts on why this shouldn't be considered a throwaway song. Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter:...
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Gypsy: 2024 Broadway Cast Recording with Music Director Andy Einhorn
Between a matinee and evening performance, musical director Andy Einhorn talked with Kyle about his relationship with Audra McDonald, revivals, and the decisions that were made in crafting the latest cast recording of Gypsy. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with...
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Out of Myself – Songs of Peter Foley (with Kate Chisholm)
Peter Foley was an accomplished composer/lyricist and mentee of Stephen Sondheim. The New Yorker praised Foley for his “gift for sinuous, haunting melody and surprising musical shapes.” Kate Chisholm, Executive Director of the Peter Foley Music Project, joins Kyle to talk about Foley's legacy and...
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Finale – Passion (with Matt Koplik)
Death, love, and letters. What more could you want in a finale? Matt Koplik returns to discuss Fosca and Giorgio's journey through the musical and how this piece wraps up. You can listen to Broadway Breakdown here: https://podtail.com/en/podcast/broadway-breakdown-1/ And you can follow Matt on...
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Loving You – Passion (with Dimitris Dimopoulos)
Fosca lays it out plainly. She will live and die for Giorgio. Dimitris Dimopoulos joins Kyle to discuss choices, asking Sondheim a question, and missing out on the original production of Passion. Follow Dimitris on Instagram. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date…
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No One Has Ever Loved Me – Passion (with Mike Meaney)
Giorgio finally realizes what love is. Mike Meaney joins Kyle to discuss letter, realizations, and duels. Follow Mike on Instagram. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon:...
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Farewell Letter – Passion (with Charlotte LeMay)
An amalgam of three previously heard songs, Farewell Letter shows how Giorgio has changed. Charlotte LeMay returns to discuss all the messiness of relationships. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels....
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Soldier's Gossip 2 / Transition 4 / Forty Days – Passion (with Alex Asp)
Beyond allowing for costume and scene changes are there thematic reasons for the transitions in Passion? Alex Asp returns to offer insight into three songs that stem from the fallout of "Is This What You Call Love." Follow Alex on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alexasp44/ Look at the...
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Sunrise Letter / Is This What You Call Love? – Passion (with Tyler Joseph Ellis)
All Giorgio wanted to do was sit underneath a tree and read about how Clara is getting grey hairs. Instead he's being watch by Fosca and he must release all his pent up anger. Tyler Joseph Ellis returns to discuss this pivotal scene from the show. You can follow Tyler on Instagram:...
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Sondheim in Portuguese with Gustavo Brunetti – Sondheim Adjacent
What's it like to watch Sweeney Todd in Portuguese? Gustavo Brunetti joins Kyle to discuss his experience seeing two different productions, and what the future of Sondheim looks like in Brazil. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by…
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Soldier's Gossip 1 / Flashback – Passion (with Shannon Migliore)
It's time to get some backstory! Shannon Migliore returns to pick apart the lengthly Flashback sequence from Passion which explains Fosca, and very well may explain Giorgio's choice at the end. Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_pretty_sleeper Send feedback to...
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I Wish I Could Forget You – Passion (with Jim Cullen)
Who hasn't forced the person they're obsessing over to write them a love letter? Jim Cullen returns to discuss the operatic (sorry, Sondheim) nature of Passion and how this song impacts the rest of the show. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It...
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Transition 2 / Trio (Fifth Letter) / Transition 3 – Passion (with Will C. White)
A devastating letter bookended by transitions. Will C. White returns to discuss rhapsodies, epistolary works, and trains. Check out Will's website. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media channels. Patreon:...
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Garden Sequence – Passion (with Anne Slovin)
They hear drums, we hear music. Anne Slovin joins Kyle to discuss the meaning of that quote as well as the complicated nature of the entire Garden Sequence. Follow Anne on Instagram Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its…
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Liaisons II: All Things Bright and Beautiful album with Anthony de Mare
The Liaisons Project, conceived by Anthony de Mare, is a landmark commissioning and concert project based on the songs of Stephen Sondheim. The original project brought together 36 of the world’s leading composers of classical, jazz, film, indie, pop and musical theater to re-imagine one of...
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I Read and Transition 1 – Passion (with Eric Henwood-Greer)
This is the introduction of Fosca into the narrative. Eric Henwood-Greer joins Kyle to discuss how this song sets up a lot of the drama that will unfold throughout the rest of the musical, and how Sondheim used the language of the novel to craft his lyrics. Send feedback to...
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First, Second, Third, and Fourth Letter – Passion (with Brian Holcomb)
How do you make letter writing interesting theatrically? Brain Holcomb returns to explain the importance of these notes and how they help inform the rest of the show. Send feedback to [email protected] Keep up to date with Putting It Together by following its social media…
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Happiness – Passion (with Christine Chen)
The show opens with a naked couple in bed singing about how happy they are. Obviously that means everything will turn out great. Christine Chen returns to discuss the opening number of Passion. Christine's Blog: https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter:...
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Ari Axelrod on " "A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway" – Sondheim Adjacent
The Broadway musical as we know it would not exist without the generations of Jewish songwriters who brought not only their talent but their heritage and perspective to their art. With A Place for Us, Axelrod has gathered a collection of this cherished work through which he finds healing and a...
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Passione d'amore with Joel DeCandio
Sondheim was inspired to create a musical because of this movie. Joel DeCandio returns to discuss the differences and many similarities between this and the eventual stage show. Joel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeldecandio/ Watch The Sondheim Sessions here:...
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Fosca – the novel by Iginio Ugo Tarchetti (with Michael Vecchio)
The story of Passion starts over a hundred years before the musical debuted on Broadway. In this episode Kyle talks with Michael Vecchio about what was going on in Italy at the time, the true story of the author, and why this story has persisted over the decades. Michael Vecchio is co-host of the...
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Sondheim Database with Alex Asp
Alex Asp returns to discuss his Sondheim Database project, along with some data he's collected about the shows! Follow Alex on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alexasp44/ Look at the Sondheim Database project here: https://www.sondheimdatabase.com/ Send feedback to...
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Another thought on Unworthy of Your Love with Gail Leondar-Wright
Gail Leondar-Wright joins Kyle to offer some further insight into the song Unworthy of Your Love. Find out more at the Talking Sondheim website: https://www.talkingsondheim.com/ You can contact Gail at: [email protected] We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Assassins....
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Assassins Finale with Margaret Hall
We've reached the end of Assassins. What does it say about America as a whole, not to mention the American Dream™? Luckily, Margaret Hall wrote her thesis on this very subject and joins the podcast to discuss it. You can visit Margaret's website here: https://www.margaret-hall.com/ Or follow here...
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Something Just Broke – Assassins (with Micah Mooney)
Feels appropriate doesn't it? Micah Mooney returns to discuss a song that was added to the show for the first London production, and has stayed ever since. Is it essential or extraneous? Micah's website: https://micahmooney.com/ We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Assassins....
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Another National Anthem – Assassins (with Charlotte LeMay)
What do we think the other national anthem actually sounds like? Charlotte LeMay returns to offer opinions on why Samuel Byck should be the main character of this song, and the disillusionment of the American Dream. We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Assassins. The original...
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Samuel Byck monologue – Assassins (with Reid Orphan)
This week we don't talk about a song, but rather a scene. Reid Orphan joins the podcast to discuss how Samuel Byck has been depicted and how it can be destructive to those with mental health challenges if not pursued with proper intentions. Follow Reid on Instagram:...
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The Ballad of Guiteau – Assassins (with Shannon Migliore)
Join us on our cakewalk up the gallows. Shannon Migliore joins the podcast to explain what the real Charles Guiteau was like and how Sondheim uses his actual words in this song. Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_pretty_sleeper We are using three productions to frame our...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This is a podcast about Stephen Sondheim's entire body of work show by show and song by song. Each week Kyle Marshall invites an expert to discuss a Sondheim song in-depth. Together they discover the humour, how the songs inform character, and any hidden meanings. Most importantly they try to understand the man behind the music, the Shakespeare of our time, as best they can.
HOSTED BY
Kyle Marshall
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Putting It Together have?
Putting It Together currently has 384 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Putting It Together about?
This is a podcast about Stephen Sondheim's entire body of work show by show and song by song. Each week Kyle Marshall invites an expert to discuss a Sondheim song in-depth. Together they discover the humour, how the songs inform character, and any hidden meanings. Most importantly they try to...
How often does Putting It Together release new episodes?
Putting It Together publishes regularly with 384 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Putting It Together?
You can listen to Putting It Together on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Putting It Together?
Putting It Together is created and hosted by Kyle Marshall.
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