Do we really need another book on Sondheim? That’s the driving question behind Barry’s recent appearance at the venerable Drama Book Shop in New York City. For the 20th episode of the Matching Minds with Sondheim podcast, explore the book-ey-ness of Matching Minds. Michael Mitnick interviews Barry in front of a live audience where together they discuss the creative challenges and the biographical insights gained during its writing. 

Make sure to get the book everywhere books are found, ⁠⁠or click here⁠⁠.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Milestones

04:36 Drama Book Show Commentary

05:04 Sondheim's Love for Puzzles

08:19 Barry Joseph's Presentation

12:43 Audience Q&A and Research Insights

26:15 The Last of Sheila: A Real-Life Inspired Murder Mystery

26:42 Sondheim's Custom Puzzle for Games Magazine

28:38 Sondheim's Influence in Glass Onion

30:16 Sondheim's Treasure Hunts and Puzzle Designs

31:36 Sondheim's Cryptic Crosswords Legacy

33:14 The Emotional Impact of Sondheim's Work

36:35 Recreating Sondheim's Games for Research

38:23 Sondheim's Board Games and Auctions

41:03 Sondheim's Influence on Musical Theater

45:47 Final Reflections and Audience Questions

Special Links:

• Colm Molloy

• Ann Morrison

• Mateo Chavez Lewis

• Sondheim's 2002 Into the Wood opening night jigsaw puzzle

• The Bookworm Sculpture at the Drama Book Shop

• Matching Minds: The Exhibit

• The Drama Book Show Podcast

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 the staff of the Drama Book Shop.

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