Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has created a companion podcast featuring his never-before-heard, taped audio interviews with legendary artists from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Patti LuPone, and so many more.
Michael presents the drama behind the decade’s mega-hits and shocking flops, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation. Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on.
It's not obvious to me which episode has Sondheim?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
This was perfectly enjoyable to listen to, but I learnt nothing new and his trailing “You won’t believe what Patti says next” made no sense when she says nothing that biting at all.
it also repeats the same facts over and over again. Could have done with more Glenn. Though the fact she didn’t reach out to Patti after was disappointing.
It still beggars belief how badly this was handled by ALW and management.
Not sure if this has been brought up on these boards, but the EP of Betty Buckley’s Sunset Boulevard recordings is on Apple Music. God, I wish there was a full cast recording with her on it.
Patti Lupone is absolutely delusional and thinks the world owes her a favor. If any of you reading this would get a million dollars to leave a job, you'd be thrilled, but she is always out of touch and lives her privileged life and feels entitled. Glenn is just trying to be polite and sensitive to everyone. ALW made the right decision as Riedel says.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
Miserent said: "Not sure if this has been brought up on these boards, but the EP of Betty Buckley’s Sunset Boulevard recordings is on Apple Music. God, I wish there was a full cast recording with her on it."
You've totally made my day, I had no idea. I was too young to know who she was back in the day, but seeing her as Norma was a lifechanger.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
muscle23ftl said: "Patti Lupone is absolutely delusional and thinks the world owes her a favor. If any of you reading this would get a million dollars to leave a job, you'd be thrilled, but she is always out of touch and lives her privileged life and feels entitled. Glenn is just trying to be polite and sensitive to everyone. ALW made the right decision as Riedel says."
Whether ALW made the right choice is irrelevant. He broke a contract and completely pulled the rug out from under Patti. He could have negotiated or bought her out of her contract like a professional. And being privileged does not magically stop you from being upset when someone blatantly breaks an agreement with you.
I think your views on LuPone are exactly why this firing hurt her so bad. It damaged her reputation and is one of the reasons she has reputation for being difficult to work with. Also, nobody, regardless of their status, should have to find out they’re fired from a gossip column. If ALW should have had a conversation with her. He took the cowardly way out.
muscle23ftl said: "If any of you reading this would get a million dollars to leave a job, you'd be thrilled, but she is always out of touch and lives her privileged life and feels entitled."
I don't think many actors would be thrilled at getting cash instead of the opportunity to originate a once-in-a-lifetime role on Broadway that could massively boost their career. Especially not if you have to go through the ordeal of suing someone to get that money. Also, calling Patti privileged when the other person in this story is Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber? Hahaha...