Episode Description
From an interview with Donald Feltham on his Broadway Radio Show, join Barry on his journey writing a book on Stephen Sondheim's love for puzzles and games, spurred by birthday gifts from his wife. Barry shares how interviewing over 120 people, many of whom were Sondheim's friends and game enthusiasts, helped paint a comprehensive picture of this multifaceted Broadway legend. The episode concludes with a plug for Barry's book and podcast, encouraging listeners to explore these resources for a deeper understanding of Sondheim's playful genius.
Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, or click here.
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
01:34 Donald Feltham's Broadway Radio Show
02:29 Discussing the Book: Matching Minds with Sondheim
03:06 Barry Joseph's Background and Inspiration
03:21 The Influence of Stephen Sondheim
04:43 The Genesis of the Book
05:13 Exploring Sondheim's Life and Work
10:48 The Ludological Lens
11:21 Structure of the Book
16:43 Sondheim's Playful Side
18:11 Research and Interviews
23:16 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts
26:51 Engaging Everyone at the Party
27:04 The 2013 Treasure Hunt
29:02 Recreating the Treasure Hunt Over Zoom
31:37 The Famous Murder Game
38:36 The Last of Sheila: From Game to Movie
43:57 Sondheim's Challenging Jigsaw Puzzles
48:32 Conclusion and Podcast Invitation
Special Links:
Thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes to this episode: the Musical Stingers composed by Mateo Chavez Lewis, our line producer Dennis Caouki, and the theme song to our podcast with lyrics and music by Colm Molloy and sung by the one only Anne Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Donald Feltham both for interviewing me and letting me rebroadcast our interview.
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