Best Ben McNeill Podcasts (2024)

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#62 - Heidi Ettinger, the Original Producer and Graphic Designer 31:08

6d ago31:08

31:08

Heidi Ettinger explains how a she came to design the logo art for Into the Woods while producing the show. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#61 - Mary D'Arcy, Cinderella in the Playwrights Horizons Workshop 33:44

17d ago33:44

33:44

Mary D'Arcy recalls Paul Gemignani teaching her the score to Act One of Into the Woods and speculates on why she wasn't cast when the production moved forward. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#60 - Michael Chybowski, First Assistant to the Lighting Designer 35:18

24d ago35:18

35:18

Michael Chybowski shares what it was like to work under Richard Nelson in designing the lighting for the original Broadway production of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#59 - Patti LuPone, Broadway Legend/Rejected Cinderella 26:35

1M ago26:35

26:35

Patti LuPone spills all the tea about her audition to play Cinderella in Into the Woods, why she passed on playing the Witch twice, and whether she might be up for taking a crack at the role now. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

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#58 - Tom Galantich, Replacement Prince on Broadway 30:45

1M ago30:45

30:45

Tom Galantich talks about his time on Broadway as an understudy and replacement in the original Broadway production. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#57 - Stuart Zagnit, Replacement Steward on Tour 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

Stuart Zagnit gives the ins and outs of acting on a national tour, and drops some delicious show biz tidbits along the way, including a hilarious experience with Carol Channing and Betty White. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone…

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#56 - Judy McLane, Replacement Baker’s Wife on Tour 29:41

2M ago29:41

29:41

Judy McLane checks in from the current national tour of Company to talk about this full circle Sondheim moment in her long and varied career. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Listen Now - Singular Sensation: The Podcast 10:10

2M ago10:10

10:10

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Sing…

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#55 - Robert Duncan McNeill, Jack on the National Tour 1:25:09

2M ago1:25:09

1:25:09

Robert Duncan McNeill remembers the good times on tour with Into the Woods and reveals his participation in the Public Theater workshop of Sondheim and Lapine’s Muscle, including some major co-stars! Plus, Ben discovers the original table reading cast of Into the Woods! Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and…

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#54 - Eric Stern, Co-Musical Director at The Old Globe 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

Eric Stern recalls how Paul Gemignani mapped out their sharing of musical director duties as well as his own contributions to the underscoring. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#53 - Marianne Cane, Stage Manager on Broadway 1:01:21

3M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Marianne Cane offers a detailed depiction of the rehearsal process for Into the Woods on Broadway and in the final workshop, including vivid descriptions of Betty Buckley's vocal performance, and what it was like to be in the room with her. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. L…

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#52 - Robert Sean Leonard, Jack in the Playwrights Horizons Workshop 41:11

3M ago41:11

41:11

Robert Sean Leonard remembers working on the early incarnation of Into the Woods and how James Lapine told him he wouldn't be going forward with the show. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#51 - Maureen Davis, the Original Sleeping Beauty and Stunt Witch 50:25

3M ago50:25

50:25

Maureen Davis explains how all the magic worked transforming Bernadette Peters from the old crone to the beautiful enchantress. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#50 - Bernadette Peters, the Original Witch 42:54

3M ago42:54

42:54

Bernadette Peters opens up about when she first fell in love with Stephen Sondheim's songs and how James Lapine pulled her back from the broad comedy she initially brought to the role of the Witch. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega…

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#49 - RJ Cutler, Assistant to the Director (Broadway and Final Workshop) 55:07

3M ago55:07

55:07

RJ Cutler remembers walking Betty Buckley's dog and and waiting with bated breath for the big songs that would complete Act Two of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#48 - Jean Louisa Kelly, the original Snow White 33:02

4M ago33:02

33:02

Jean Louisa Kelly was excited and scared to join Broadway star Bernadette Peters in Into the Woods as Snow White and understudy to Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. She left the cast to resume her normal high school life just in time to miss filming the show for PBS, but went on to a successful Hollywood career anyway. Join host Ben Rimalower fo…

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#47 - David Warren, Assistant to the Director (Playwrights Horizons, Old Globe, and National Tour) 1:11:07

4M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

David Warren was in the room where it happened and remembers everything from the moment he first heard No One Is Alone to leaving Sondheim lost in the middle of San Diego. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#46 - Kay McClelland, the original Florinda and Replacement Baker's Wife 1:04:33

4M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Kay McClelland comes clean on how she never felt her job was safe in her three years with Into the Woods and how the only job security she got was, as the Baker's Wife at the end of the run, being told the show would close soon so it was too late to replace her. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine …

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#45 - Tony Straiges, the original Set Designer 41:30

4M ago41:30

41:30

Tony Straiges tells all the secrets of his magical scenic design. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#44 - Phylicia Rashad, Replacement Witch 35:26

5M ago35:26

35:26

Phylicia Rashad recalls her happiness at being asked to audition for Into the Woods and recounts her embrace of the challenges of performing Stephen Sondheim's songs. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#43 - Daniel Henning, the Witch in James Lapine's Blocking Exercises 46:28

5M ago46:28

46:28

Daniel Henning was a Senior at NYU when he got the opportunity of a lifetime, to play the Witch in James Lapine's blocking exercises. His vivid memories set the tone for a far-ranging and colorful conversation about the show and the actors who came before and after him in it. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondhe…

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#42 - Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Auditioned Choreographer 40:40

5M ago40:40

40:40

Marcia Milgrom Dodge dishes on her audition to choreograph Into the Woods and how--at the eleventh hour--James Lapine invited her back to the final workshop for one more look, just in case. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm…

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#41 - Jacqui Dankworth, Cinderella in London & Cleo Laine's Daughter 40:53

5M ago40:53

40:53

Jacqui Dankworth fell in in love with Into the Woods watching her legendary mother Cleo Laine play the Witch in the National Tour. Little did she know, she'd be originating the role Cinderella on the West End just under two years later. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn…

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#40 - Jonathan Hadley, Rapunzel's Prince on the National Tour 59:23

6M ago59:23

59:23

Jonathan Hadley has vivid memories of his time on tour with Into the Woods, recalling everything from his abbreviated rehearsal process as standby to Charlotte Rae's plastic covered furniture and star Cleo Laine's salty sense of humor backstage. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woo…

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#39 - Tracy Katz Paladini, Little Red Riding Hood on the National Tour 52:38

6M ago52:38

52:38

Tracy Katz Paladini got the plum role of Little Red Riding Hood on the National Tour of Into the Woods fresh out of school, but her talent and training could hardly have prepared her for the strain of life on the road. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your a…

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#38 - Douglas Sills, Rapunzel's Prince on the National Tour 1:18:47

6M ago1:18:47

1:18:47

Douglas Sills opens up about everything from the challenges of being an out actor in the 80s and 90s to his almost #MeToo moment with Sondheim and message from the master beyond the grave. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/…

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#37 - Ben Wright, the Original Jack 47:29

6M ago47:29

47:29

Ben Wright confesses how he struggled with the high notes and explains why he had thought Betty Buckley wasn't taken to Broadway. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#36 - Steve Saklad, Assistant to the Set Designer 43:43

7M ago43:43

43:43

Steve Saklad shares his experience assisting Set Designer Tony Straiges, with fascinating tidbits on color and light and Rapunzel's tower. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#35 - Nancy Dussault, Replacement Witch 1:07:35

7M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Nancy Dussault opens up about her work with Stephen Sondheim and other legends across a career that straddles several eras from following Mary Martin in the original Sound of Music to following Bernadette Peters in Into The Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more …

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#34 - Joshua Ellis, Broadway Press Agent 1:18:33

7M ago1:18:33

1:18:33

Joshua Ellis shares the secret to good press photos and confesses to his nightmare typo in the opening night Playbill. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#33 - Colleen Fitzpatrick, Broadway Understudy 55:30

7M ago55:30

55:30

Colleen Fitzpatrick shares why Sondheim is like Mozart and how Paul Gemignani graded all singers on a scale of A to F. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#32 - Stephen Dolginoff, Jack in James Lapine's Blocking Exercises 48:28

8M ago48:28

48:28

Stephen Dolginoff "played" Jack at the Westbeth Theater so James Lapine could experiment with staging ideas before starting rehearsals for the Old Globe premiere and he remembers every moment of this seminal experience from his time studying theater at NYU. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went …

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#31 - Terry Burrell, Original Understudy and Replacement Lucinda 49:17

8M ago49:17

49:17

Terry Burrell talks about her trepidations over "non-traditional casting" when she got the offer to understudy both stepsisters, how proud she was when Phylicia Rashad took over as the Witch (and later when Vanessa Williams starred in the revival). Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the …

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#30 - Maureen Moore, the Witch on the Demos 1:09:44

8M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

Maureen Moore makes light of having to memorize "Boom Crunch" in order to keep up with her more musically literate costars on the demo recording and even how she had to quit Falsettos to convince to producers to let her out for Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and …

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#29 - John Bell, Sondheim's Intern at the Old Globe 1:22:33

8M ago1:22:33

1:22:33

As Sondheim's intern at the Old Globe, John Bell has fascinating insights into the lesbian subtext between the Witch and Rapunzel, why Ellen Foley was really replaced, and when Bernadette Peters first saw the show. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad ch…

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#28 - Johnna Murray, the Original Stage Manager 1:12:24

8M ago1:12:24

1:12:24

Original Broadway Stage Manager Johnna Murray was in the trenches from the earliest readings and workshops and still has the scripts and scores to prove it, finally filling in some big holes about who did what and when! Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your …

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#27 - Pamela Winslow Kashani, the original Rapunzel 52:42

9M ago52:42

52:42

Original Broadway Rapunzel Pamela Winslow Kashani shares how she came up with the idea to sing the "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah" obligado up the octave. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#26 - Burke Moses, the Prince in the Final Workshop 58:40

9M ago58:40

58:40

For the first time ever, Burke Moses tells his harrowing (and hilarious) tale of getting hired for--and then promptly fired from--the original production of Into the Woods, just weeks before it was set to begin its Broadway production. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn …

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#25 - Mary Gordon Murray, the Baker's Wife on Tour and Broadway Replacement 36:33

9M ago36:33

36:33

Mary Gordon Murray muses on the challenges of following in Joanna Gleason's footsteps and offers some insight into how the failure to move to Broadway by James Lapine's 1985 La Jolla Playhouse Merrily We Roll Along led to the birth of Into the Woods. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into th…

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#24 - Philip Hoffman, the Original Steward and Understudy 1:07:51

9M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Philip Hoffman gives the inside scoop on Joanna Gleason's Baker's Wife backstory and what Betty Buckley was like as the Witch. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Broadway Podcast Network

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#23 - Betsy Joslyn, Replacement Witch on Broadway and on Tour 54:47

10M ago54:47

54:47

Betsy Joslyn has played more performances as the Witch in Into the Woods than anyone else in history. She opens up about how she got there and why Bernadette Peters was so amazing to stand by for. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap…

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#22 - Scott Frankel, Assistant Conductor on Broadway 1:07:57

10M ago1:07:57

1:07:57

Tony nominated composer Scott Frankel dishes on Betty Buckley's arriving late and James Lapine's playing favorites--not to mention testy reed players--from his time on the final workshop and original Broadway productions. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about you…

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#21 - Carolyn Marlow, Understudy in the Original Cast and Final Workshop 52:47

10M ago52:47

52:47

Original understudy Carolyn Marlow spills the TEA on what it was like to go on with Chip Zien, why she thinks Betty Buckley didn't make it to Broadway, and who her favorite replacement Witch was. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph…

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#20 - Michael David, the Original Producer 55:21

10M ago55:21

55:21

Producer Michael David talks candidly about how the upside of Sondheim's art is the downside of the commercial theater and explains why Into the Woods was given one more final workshop on the eve of Broadway rehearsals. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your …

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#19 - Ellen Foley, the Witch at the Old Globe 37:25

11M ago37:25

37:25

Ellen Foley opens up about why she thinks she was replaced as the Witch when Into the Woods opened on Broadway and how the show had changed by the time she joined its final company. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic…

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#18 - Lar Lubovitch, the Original Choreographer 26:40

11M ago26:40

26:40

Choreographer Lar Lubovitch explains why his credit on Into the Woods was "Musical Staging by" and offers a vivid description of Betty Buckley's powerful performance as the Witch in the final workshop. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit …

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#17 - John Cameron Mitchell, Jack on the Demo Tracks 31:18

11M ago31:18

31:18

John Cameron Mitchell gives a rare deep dive into his career in musical theater before Hedwig, including his gig recording Into the Woods demos for an aborted CD-ROM project and auditioning for James Lapine. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. …

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#16 - Lauren Mitchell, the Original Lucinda 1:03:09

11M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Lauren Mitchell lets us in on what it was like producing two different revivals of the show she originally acted in and why returning to the stage in the City Center Encores production didn't whet her appetite to perform more. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more abou…

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#15 - Chuck Wagner, the Original Rapunzel's Prince 37:49

11M ago37:49

37:49

Chuck Wagner chats about what he turned down to create the role of Rapunzel’s Prince and why he was unavailable for the pre-Broadway workshop. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#14 - Joy Franz, the Original Stepmother 1:16:59

12M ago1:16:59

1:16:59

Broadway veteran Joy Franz explains where the Stepmother's song was supposed to happen and gives the gory details on the development of fan favorite moments like her stabbing her daughter's prosthetic heel. Join host Ben Rimalower for this candid conversation exploring how Sondheim and Lapine went Into the Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. V…

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