Episode Description
Join the audience at the Museum of the City of New York as Joseph guides them on a tour of How Stephen Sondheim Gamified New York City. The talk explores the unique ways Sondheim incorporated the city into his games and puzzles. Through various anecdotes and historical references, Joseph highlights Sondheim's creative process, from his early board games to intricate treasure hunts and escape rooms. The presentation is enriched with clips from Sondheim's musicals, showcasing how his playful lens extended beyond the stage and into the real-world geography and culture of New York City. The episode emphasizes Sondheim's dual passion for theater and games, inviting the audience to experience New York City anew as an interactive playground.
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00:00 Introduction and Presentation Setup
02:26 Welcome to the Museum of the City of New York
03:15 Barry Joseph's Introduction
04:14 Sondheim's New York City Musicals
09:11 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts
12:29 Sondheim's Board Game for Hal Prince
15:32 A Little Night Music Treasure Hunt
17:26 Sondheim's Escape Room Experience
23:24 Sondheim's Cryptic Puzzles
27:57 Jurassic Treasure Hunt at the Museum of Natural History
29:11 Stephen Sondheim's Treasure Hunt Adventure
29:40 Exploring Iconic New York Locations
30:17 Challenges and Decisions in the Library
31:01 Natural History Museum: The Perfect Venue
31:27 Designing the Dinosaur Hall Puzzle
34:29 The Star-Studded Event
35:39 The Murder Game: A Meta-Puzzle
38:05 Sondheim's Puzzle Legacy
41:36 Q&A: Uncovering Sondheim's Hidden Treasures
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 Ann Morrison, currently on the road starring in Kimberly Akimbo. Of course, I'd also like to thank Nick Martinez and the whole crew at MCNY.
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