Best Stephen Sondheim Musical
It is not hyperbole to say that Stephen Sondheim was among the most important creative voices in 20th Century American musical theater. From the 1950s through to the 2020s, he wrote the lyrics, music, or both for some of the most critically and commercially successful shows of our lifetimes. Sondheim’s shows are beloved not only for their incredibly catchy songs, but also for their insightful stories exploring the nature of art, history, and most importantly, the fragile and fault-riddled human condition. Though we lost Mr. Sondheim in 2021, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to look back on his works as we attempt to name the Best Stephen Sondheim Musical of all time.
Musicals discussed: Sweeney Todd, Saturday Night, West Side Story, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Assassins, Pacific Overtures, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Anyone Can Whistle, Gypsy, Follies
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and panelists Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz, and Trey Radu-Blackburn as they discuss and debate 16 of Sondheim’s most enduring works.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
Match-Up 1: “Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (1) vs. “Saturday Night” (4)
Match-Up 2: “West Side Story” (3) vs. “Merrily We Roll Along” (2)
Match-Up 3: “Sunday in the Park with George” (1) vs. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Forum” (4)
Match-Up 4: “Passion” (3) vs. “Assassins” (2)
Match-Up 5: “Company” (1) vs. “Here We Are” (4)
Match-Up 6: “Pacific Overtures” (3) vs. “A Little Night Music” (2)
Match-Up 7: “Into the Woods” (1) vs. “Anyone Can Whistle” (4)
Match-Up 8: “Gypsy” (3) vs. “Follies” (2)
Want to play along at home?
Download theListener Bracketand see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz, Trey Radu-Blackburn
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Jim Czadzeck
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
