Ira Gershwin: An Episode in Words

We're joined by Ira's biographer, Michael Owen, for a 'swonderful overview of his fascinating career. Performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Kelli O'Hara, Fred Astaire and many more.

Rosemary Clooney, that is. One of our greatest singers, with an entire program dedicated to her and songs from The Pajama Game, Merrily We Roll Along, Gypsy, Oh Captain!, and many more.

Memories, lighting the corners of our mind--our annual soundtrack episode, featuring the unforgettable lyrics by the Bergmans and movie themes sung by Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan and many others.

The singular sensation celebrates its 50th Anniversary and we *finally* get around to showcasing its amazing Hamlisch/Kleban score. The original cast plus Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Eydie Gormé, and more.

In her honor, we are celebrating the Broadway songbook of jazz singer extraordinaire, Cleo Laine. Songs by Cy Coleman, Jerome Kern, and plenty of Sondheim.

We're up, up, and away with this summer's box office superhero. We listen to the 1966 musical version of Superman plus songs and music from his movie and TV adventures.

We're joined by Steve Ross, the Crown Prince of Cafe Society, regaling us with laughter, tales, and songs--at the piano and with recordings of tunes from Little Me, Anyone Can Whistle, The Happy Time and more.

It's called "pastiche" that subtle art practiced by great songwriters paying tribute to the music of the past--as heard in Hairspray, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, Fiorello!, and more.

The perfect Fourth of July musical--more relevant than ever. So, sit down for an hour with this classic as we hear the Broadway cast and the rare film soundtrack, united for posterity.

This episode draws its inspiration from the great theatrical illustrator Al Hirschfeld.  We're joined by the chief archivist of his work, David Leopold, for a musical survey of his favorites: the Gershwins, Julie Andrews, Louis Armstrong and more.  Watch along at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psDdsefFUMA