Episodes

  • 57 Alan Menken III

    57 Alan Menken III
    Apr 20 2026
    The conclusion of a three-part program featuring prolific composer Alan Menken, who began his storied career in the theater but is mostly known for his work on animated films such as THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and ENCHANTED. In this program, Menken discusses his experiences working on the stage shows “Real Life Funnies, “Battle of the Giants,” and “Dream on Royal Street” as well as his classic score to LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Some of the recordings feature Menken himself singing at the piano. Featured songs: “Real Life Funnies,” “People Collecting Things,” “Ah Men,” “Battle of The Giants,” “Not So Near,” “Suddenly, Seymour,” “Don’t Feed the Plants.” Originally produced and broadcast in 1982. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Anything Goes – Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • 56 Alan Menken II

    56 Alan Menken II
    Apr 13 2026
    The second of a three-part program featuring prolific composer Alan Menken, who began his storied career in the theater but is widely known for his work on animated films such as THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALLADIN and ENCHANTED. In this program, Menken discusses his experience working with Howard Ashman on the stage shows LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER. Some of the recordings feature Menken himself singing at the piano. Featured songs: “Feed Me (Get It),” “With A Dollar in My Pocket,” “Dear Ophelia,” “Since You Came to This Town,” “Thank God For The Volunteer Fire Brigade.” Originally produced and broadcast in 1982. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Anything Goes – Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • 55 Alan Menken I

    55 Alan Menken I
    Apr 6 2026
    The first of a three-part program featuring prolific composer Alan Menken, who began his storied career in the theater but is mostly known for his work on animated films such as THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and ENCHANTED. In this program, Menken discusses his experience working with Howard Ashman on the stage shows LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER. Some of the recordings feature Menken himself singing at the piano. Featured songs: “Prologue (Little Shop of Horrors),” “Pink Fish,” “Skid Row (Downtown),” “A Little Dental Music,” “Somewhere That’s Green.” Originally produced and broadcast in 1982. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Anything Goes – Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • 51 Stephen Schwartz III

    51 Stephen Schwartz III
    Mar 30 2026
    The conclusion of a three-part program featuring Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, known for such celebrated shows as GODSPELL and PIPPIN. Schwartz discusses developing songs for THE BAKER’S WIFE and WORKING, along with his creative endeavors outside of Broadway. Featured songs: “Chanson,” “Gifts of Love,” and “Meadowlark” from THE BAKER’S WIFE, a pop song entitled “Cry Without a Reason, “Father and Sons” from WORKING, and “All Good Gifts” from GODSPELL. Originally produced and broadcast in 1980. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • 50 Stephen Schwartz II

    50 Stephen Schwartz II
    Mar 23 2026
    The second of a three-part program featuring Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, known for such celebrated shows as GODSPELL and PIPPIN. Schwartz discusses the creative writing process behind “Love Song” from PIPPIN, as well as the show’s overall popularity and critical reception, and developing songs for a potential film adaptation of THE MAGIC SHOW. Featured songs: “The Good Times Ladies Rag” from PIPPIN, “Love Song” from PIPPIN, “West End Avenue” from THE MAGIC SHOW, “Where Did the Magic Go” from the proposed film adaptation of THE MAGIC SHOW, and “Millwork” from WORKING. Originally produced and broadcast in 1980. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • 49 Stephen Schwartz I

    49 Stephen Schwartz I
    Mar 16 2026
    The first of a three-part program featuring Broadway composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, known for such celebrated shows as GODSPELL and PIPPIN. In this edition, Schwartz discusses his early days on Long Island, writing songs for BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, GODSPELL, and shares a song from PIPPIN-PIPPIN, the college version of PIPPIN. Featured songs: “Magic To-Do” from PIPPIN, “Begging My Lady’s Pardon” from the college production, PIPPIN-PIPPIN, “Butterflies Are Free” from BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, “Prepare Ye the Way of the World” from GODSPELL, “Day by Day” from GODSPELL, and “Simple Joys” from PIPPIN. Originally produced and broadcast in 1980. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • 48 Burton Lane IV

    48 Burton Lane IV
    Mar 9 2026
    The conclusion of a four-part program featuring Broadway composer Burton Lane, known for such celebrated shows as FINIAN’S RAINBOW and ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, along with songs for over thirty films including ROYAL WEDDING and BABES IN ARMS. Lane recounts his early songwriting efforts in Hollywood with Frank Loesser and Harold Adamson, Broadway collaborations with E.Y. “Yip” Harburg and Alan Jay Lerner, writing songs for Fred Astaire, and discovering a young Judy Garland. Featured songs: “Give A Girl A Break,” “It Happens Every Time,” “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever,” “Come Back To Me,” “Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here!” “One More Walk Around The Garden,” and “How Are Things In Glocca Morra?” Originally produced and broadcast in 1981. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Associate producer Jeff Lunden. Anything Goes – Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • 47 Burton Lane III

    47 Burton Lane III
    Mar 2 2026
    The third of a four-part program featuring Broadway composer Burton Lane, known for such celebrated shows as FINIAN’S RAINBOW and ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER, along with songs for over thirty films including ROYAL WEDDING and BABES IN ARMS. Lane recounts his early songwriting efforts in Hollywood with Frank Loesser and Harold Adamson, Broadway collaborations with E.Y. “Yip” Harburg and Alan Jay Lerner, writing songs for Fred Astaire, and discovering a young Judy Garland. Featured songs: “Overture from ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER,” “Look To The Rainbow,” “When The Idle Poor Become The Idle Rich,” “Old Devil Moon,” “Where Have I Seen Your Face Before?” “Too Late Now,” “You’re All The World To Me,” and “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life?” Originally produced and broadcast in 1981. For more information go to AnythingGoesPL.com or BPN.FM/Anything Goes. Theme music arranged by Bruce Coughlin. Associate producer Jeff Lunden. Anything Goes – Backstage with Broadway’s Best – is produced and hosted by Paul Lazarus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins