Singular Sensation: The Podcast

Original star of Rent, Adam Pascal, joins host Michael Riedel live at Sardi's for this special bonus episode. Adam reflects on how he went from playing guitar in his basement to being on the cover of magazines across the globe after Rent catapulted him and his castmates into stardom, changing their lives and the lives of audience members the show has touched since opening at New York Theatre Workshop nearly thirty years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Rent is one of those super rare musicals that permeated pop culture all over the world. The show was on Broadway from 1996 to 2008 and is still produced throughout the world today. In this episode, members of the original cast and creative team, as well as creator Jonathan Larson’s sister Julie Larson, discuss how the musical forged an incredible connection with young people in a way that no musical had in decades, bringing a whole new generation of creators to American musical theatre, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bobby Lopez, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and more. This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Many warned that the musical Rent did not belong on Broadway! Nonetheless, the show blasted past those naysayers to become one of the biggest hits of all time. Join Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega, Tony Award-winning Director Michael Greif, Press Agent Don Summa, New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Jim Nicola, along with Producer Jeffrey Seller as they share their very insider memories of Rent’s road to Broadway! Plus Creative Director Drew Hodges shares the fascinating story behind Rent’s marketing campaign, and creator Jonathan Larson’s father and sister - Al and Julie Larson - share the significance of Rent opening at the Nederlander Theatre. This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In 1996, Rent creator Jonathan Larson tragically passed away just hours before the show’s very first preview at New York Theatre Workshop. Rent star Daphne Rubin-Vega, along with Tony Award-winning Director Michael Greif, join Rent Producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, Press Agents Don Summa and Richard Kornberg and Jonathan’s father and sister - Al and Julie Larson - to share their vivid and very emotional memories about Jonathan’s final days. From that day forward, musical theatre would be transformed forever.  This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Daphne Rubin-Vega, who was the original Mimi in Rent, and her personal wardrobe were invaluable resources for Rent costume designer Angela Wendt. With only $500 to create the original Rent costumes and set design, Angela was able to bring creator Jonathan Larson's vision to life and to fulfill his dream of Rent becoming a powerful 90's fashion "influencer." Join Angela and Daphne as they reminisce about helping to shape one of the greatest musicals of all time.  This episode features excerpts from Michael Riedel’s interviews for his 2020 best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]