Musical Theatre Podcast | Ep. 25 – Golden Age Musicals: Oklahoma and The Sound of Music

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Episode 25 of the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast is the first in a new series about Golden Age Musicals – focusing on musicals from the early 1940s to the mid 1960s. The Golden Age Musicals series will be done whenever I get a chance to watch a Golden Age Musical (preferably on stage, but some of these musicals I may watch on film). In this first episode I talk about two classic Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musicals Oklahoma and The Sound of Music both of which I saw on stage earlier this year.

In future Golden Age Musical episodes I’ll link to this episode that explains the premise of the series, as well as this resource page where I’ll list the musicals I’m hoping to see (further down).

Where to Listen to Episode 25?

If you haven’t heard it yet you can listen to Episode 25 on Podcasts.com

Listen and subscribe to the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast on the following websites/apps
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Golden Age Musicals I’m Hoping to See

The musicals on this list are arranged by their Broadway debut. Musicals marked with an * originated as movie musicals rather than stage musicals. Some of these may be difficult to see, so I can’t guarantee that a local theatre company will stage them. However, I’ve included all the musicals on my list just in case I get the chance to see them. Musicals crossed have been watched for this podcast.

Resources – Music

This section has links to the cast recordings/soundtracks for musicals that are mentioned in this episode. It also has a couple of musical playlists.

It’s Broadway, Bitch – Deezer Playlist. This has over 1700 songs from different musicals. Albums are in random order. Some songs contain strong language and subject matter; listener discretion is advised.

Sounds of Broadway. This is an online radio station with over 4600 songs from 560 different musicals. The station also has a great weekly podcast about musicals.

Oklahoma! (1943 Original Broadway Cast)

Oklahoma! (2019 Broadway Cast)

The Sound of Music (1959 Original Broadway Cast)

The Sound of Music (1965 Movie Soundtrack)

Resources – Videos

Here are links from Just Watch (unless otherwise noted) for any musicals mentioned in this episode that have a movie adaptation or a proshot/filmed live stage version. When available, non-musical film adaptations of these shows are also included.

Schmigadoon – This is the series on AppleTV that I mention in this episode. The first season satirizes some Golden Age Musicals. It’s a fun show that’s worth a quick binge (only 12 episodes total).

Oklahoma! (1955 Movie)

The Sound of Music (1965 Movie)

Resources – Websites and Apps

Reddit Musicals and Reddit Musical Theatre. Both subreddits are great places to learn about musicals, get tips (if you’re a performer), and to get recommendations on shows to check out.

Broadway Musical Home. This is a great website with a list of over 300 musicals. The Rights page has information on where to get the rights to put on a variety of musicals. Concord Theatricals and Musical Theatre International are the two main companies to license musicals.

Playbill has a listing for shows (musicals and plays) in New York, London and National Tours.

Today Tix has an App for both iOS and Android. You can use the app to buy cheap, same-day tickets for shows in several cities like New York, London, and more. I’ve used this app in London and highly recommend it.

Use the Code JGZYL to save £10 (or $10) on your first order with Today Tix.

Have you seen a Golden Age musical before?