Broadway Favorites
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Hosted by Kirk Stantis
Playlist
[38:31]
Hard to Say Goodbye, My Love
— Dreamgirls
[52:05]
You Won't Succeed on Broadway
— Spamalot
(David Hyde Pierce)
[52:17]
Proud Mary
— Tina Turner Musical
(finale)
[50:52]
Rose's Turn
— Gypsy
(Bette Midler)
Transcript
[00:00]
AFL-CIO. So anyway we're gonna play some of that and I'll give you a little bit
[00:03]
of background about the shows that you didn't get to see if you did see it from
[00:08]
the front. But in the meantime let's play some music that's what this show is all
[00:12]
about is show tunes. Let's start off with something that was recently at the
[00:17]
Overture Center. We'll talk more about that later. This is Back to the Future
[00:21]
and it's only a matter of time.
[02:01]
I'll serve you faithfully if you'll give me a chance.
[03:33]
This one's for the dreamers who ever tried to make it. Though very few ever break through.
[03:44]
We celebrate them when they do. Lion eyes them, call them great. Tick or tape parade them.
[03:51]
This one's for the dreamers who strive to be a winner. Go as far as they can
[04:00]
take it. Even if they don't quite make it. This one's for the dreamers. Dreamers
[04:13]
leaving. One grain of sand becomes a pearl. Great idea can change the world.
[04:25]
Even while others don't, others won't. So this one's for the dreamers.
[04:33]
Inspiration. Go as far as they can take it. Even if they don't quite make it.
[04:42]
This one's for the dreamers. He misunderstood. And I know how it feels to be told you're no good.
[04:56]
Couldn't give up. Never would. My people just took advantage of me. My distractions just consumed me.
[05:06]
But for everyone that gets it right. Thousands more keep up the fight. They burn the fire steep in them.
[05:16]
And most just disappear. And we never hear of them.
[05:21]
So this one's for the dreamers. Have the guts to risk it. Take a chance on what they think.
[05:33]
Can't stare them down cause they don't blink. Don't remember. They were close but no cigar.
[05:50]
And we don't know who they are. This one's for the dreamers. This one's for the dreamers.
[06:05]
And you just heard from Back to the Future. And that was for the dreamers. I like that song because in the play,
[06:25]
and as I said earlier, I work the show. So I'll give you a little bit of background.
[06:30]
That's a fun song. The other one is, it's only a matter of time, is a fun song early in the show.
[06:36]
They also, little easter eggs, if you look at the end of the show, playing at the rock party,
[06:43]
when they play Don't, the Huey Lewis song, Back to the Future, there is an actor dressed up and looking a lot like Huey Lewis.
[06:51]
So just next time, if you get a chance to see the show, take a peek.
[06:55]
Another thing about that, if you see, when they have the box of plutonium, one of my jobs, I was props, stage right.
[07:04]
And I had to lift that thing up. They actually weighed it down so the actors look like they're hauling something lead lined.
[07:11]
It is very heavy. It surprised the living bejeebers out of me when I had to go get that up and get it over there quick.
[07:17]
And I went, gee, and it was very heavy. So little side thing. Another thing, the car. There are two of them in the show.
[07:23]
So I don't think I'm giving anything away. There are two prop cars that play the DeLorean.
[07:29]
And one of them made the fiberglass and is a pretty doggone good replica of the original DeLorean.
[07:36]
When you get up close to it, of course, you can see where they're doing electronics and things like that.
[07:41]
But the show was fun. It didn't have any real great memorable songs.
[07:45]
And speaking of that, I'm going to play next something from The Great Gatsby, which also was at the Overture Center recently.
[07:52]
A great show visually. I think visually it was beautiful.
[07:57]
This time I worked video, so I got to do the video.
[08:00]
And video is becoming more and more popular with Broadway shows, Broadway tours.
[08:04]
It's lighter, easier to carry than a lot of sets.
[08:07]
And with the resolution of video these days, you can hardly tell the difference from 40 feet away.
[08:13]
And they can do an awful lot. From Disney is using it an awful lot in their shows, and of course, the Gatsby did too.
[08:20]
So let's hear some of the music. Not incredibly memorable, but still good music.
[08:25]
So we're going to hear for her. And then after that beautiful little fool.
[08:32]
Grew up in the French court. We were born short. Life was a chore.
[08:36]
So she set sail.
[08:57]
I've done it all. Put up each one for her.
[09:22]
All the plans I laid. All the options I made.
[09:29]
Every price I paid.
[09:36]
I went to war for her. Lived for and sure of all of the guilt.
[09:50]
Then I went full tilt. Rivaled Vanderbilt.
[10:03]
You've come so far. The finest caveat.
[10:43]
Everything I own. Every party. Throw the nights alone.
[11:10]
If you bring. This could turn for me. And I can guarantee when all is done I'll be forever in your debt.
[11:29]
This time I won't let go. Help me.
[11:32]
You don't because no one was there. My baby was maybe an hour old.
[13:14]
And Thomas is a beautiful little polished repo.
[15:18]
You just heard from the great Gatsby. I'm sorry about the beginning of that.
[15:54]
Just getting back into the saddle after vacation. So pushing buttons up.
[15:58]
It's a kind of a muscle memory thing. So anyway, I apologize.
[16:02]
But I kind of gave away what you're going to hear next.
[16:04]
But from the great Gatsby, let me give you my opinion about that.
[16:07]
The show was absolutely magnificently beautiful sets, projections, lighting, the sound.
[16:13]
Everything was good. I'm not crazy.
[16:15]
The music was wonderful. But you're not going out of the theater whistling anything.
[16:20]
And to some people, popular theater like that is not important. And that's fine.
[16:24]
But to me, I kind of want something to remember the show by when I walk out or am I at home?
[16:29]
And the next day and I wake up, I want to be. But that's me.
[16:34]
But from the great Gatsby, you heard for for her.
[16:37]
And then after that, you heard the beautiful little fool.
[16:39]
And that was all the original Broadway cast. We're going to keep going.
[16:43]
The next step is another show coming to the overture again, in case you missed it the first time.
[16:49]
And that's six. And my granddaughter loves that show. And a lot of people do.
[16:54]
It is a lot of fun. So let's hear from six with less talking and more music.
[17:16]
Not my thing. But then I met the king. And soon my daddy said, you should try and get ahead.
[17:28]
Obviously, messaging me like every day.
[17:32]
Could be better than he sent me a letter. And who am I kidding? I was pretty monger.
[17:39]
Sent a reply. Just saying hi. You're a nice guy. I'll think about it. Maybe XO, baby.
[17:50]
Here we go. You sent him kisses. I didn't know I would move in with his missus.
[17:55]
What? Get a like. You're living with life. Like, what was I meant to do?
[18:00]
I'm just trying to have some fun. Don't worry, don't worry, don't lose your head.
[18:10]
I didn't mean to hurt anyone. Say oh well, or go to hell.
[18:17]
I'm sorry, not sorry about what I said. Don't lose your head.
[18:23]
And the little one said, if you want to be wet, make up your mind.
[18:31]
Her or me, chum, don't want to be some girl in a threesome. Are you blind?
[18:36]
Are you bitter? Because I'm fitter. It hit her.
[18:45]
He doesn't want to bang you. Somebody hang you.
[18:48]
Oh, here we go. I didn't see him. But really, what was I to do?
[18:59]
I'm gonna have some fun. Lose your head. I didn't mean to hurt anyone.
[19:11]
Oh, well, or go to hell. Don't lose your head.
[19:22]
The Pope said, Henry, he won't cause a commotion.
[19:34]
Their emotion, the sea of ease, was so out. Who wanted to get x-rated?
[19:43]
Everybody chill, it's totes God's will.
[19:48]
Night on the town, just sleeping around like, what the hell?
[19:56]
Is that gonna be maybe our flirt with a guy all three, just to make him gel?
[20:03]
Henry finds out and he goes mental. He screams and shouts like so judgmental.
[20:08]
You damn it, witch.
[20:10]
Mate, just shut up. I wouldn't be such a b-
[20:13]
If you could get it up.
[20:15]
Oh, here we go. Is that what you said?
[20:17]
And I'm pretty sure he meant to do. What was she meant to do?
[20:26]
Like, what was I meant to do? What was she meant to do?
[21:16]
The price of my love is not a price that you're willing to pay.
[21:21]
You cry in your tea, which you heard in the sea.
[21:26]
When you see me go by, why so sad?
[21:32]
Remember, we made an arrangement when you went away.
[21:37]
Now you're making me mad.
[21:40]
Remember, despite our estrangement, I'm your man.
[21:45]
You'll be back.
[21:49]
Soon you'll see. You'll remember you belong to me.
[21:56]
You'll be back. Time will tell.
[22:00]
Remember that I served you well.
[22:03]
Oceans rise. Empires fall.
[22:07]
We have seen each other through it all.
[22:11]
And when push comes too sharp,
[22:15]
I will send a fully armed battalion
[22:18]
to remind you of my rights of duty.
[23:18]
Be back like before.
[23:21]
I will fight the fight and win the war.
[23:25]
For your love, for your praise,
[23:29]
and I'll love you till my lying day.
[23:32]
Many your friends and family
[23:49]
to remind you of my love.
[23:53]
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da.
[24:00]
The Marquette Neighborhood Association presents the Orton Park Festival
[24:54]
Friday, August 28th through Sunday the 30th
[24:57]
for another round of music and culture.
[24:59]
Enjoy unforgettable live sets from Loving Cup, Jane Hobson,
[25:03]
The Sadies, Sharp Pins, Cat and the Hurricane,
[25:07]
Graham Hunt, Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, and more.
[25:10]
All beneath the historic oak trees of Orton Park.
[25:13]
Explore local food, craft beer, artists, kids' games,
[25:17]
and the world-famous Orton auction.
[25:19]
The whole festival kicks off on Friday
[25:21]
with a performance from the Forward Marching Band
[25:23]
and a magical aerial show by Psychropia Aerial Dance.
[25:27]
Festival hours vary all three days,
[25:29]
so get the full schedule at Facebook.com slash Orton Park Fest.
[25:34]
The Orton Park Festival returns Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th,
[25:40]
bringing you what's festive in Madison for over 50 years.
[25:43]
This is WORT 89.9 FM Madison.
[25:48]
And welcome back to Better Living Through Showtoons on WORT FM.
[25:54]
I am your host still for about the next 35 minutes.
[25:57]
I am Kirk, so I hope you're enjoying what we're playing.
[26:00]
It is basically my potpourri.
[26:02]
So things I like, things I've heard, things I've worked,
[26:06]
shows I've worked over at the Overture Center
[26:08]
or around town or in the past.
[26:10]
So we're going to go with another show I like very much,
[26:13]
which was Dear Evan Hansen.
[26:15]
And this is the Broadway cast recording.
[26:18]
And I like it very much.
[26:20]
I like the music running through it.
[26:22]
There were tunes, again, you could relate to and play.
[26:27]
So I just, that's the sort of thing I like when I go to a musical
[26:30]
is to be entertained.
[26:31]
Sometimes I do like to be educated, and I like to think.
[26:34]
But for this one, it was pure entertainment.
[26:36]
So here's Dear Evan Hansen waving through a window.
[26:48]
I've learned to slam on the brick
[26:51]
Before I even turn the key
[26:55]
Before I make the mistake
[26:58]
Before I lead with the worst of me
[27:01]
Give them no reason to stare
[27:03]
No slipping up if you slip away
[27:08]
So I got nothing to share
[27:10]
I got nothing to say
[27:14]
Out step out of the sun
[27:17]
Out of the sun
[27:23]
Outside always looking in
[27:32]
Will I ever be more than I've always been?
[27:35]
Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass
[27:39]
I'm waving through a window
[27:42]
I try to speak, you can hear
[27:46]
So I wait around and search to appear
[27:48]
Watching people anybody see
[28:03]
Look at me, does it run?
[28:17]
And there's nobody around
[29:11]
Ever really crash or even make a sound
[29:15]
When you're falling in a forest
[29:17]
And there's nobody around
[29:18]
Do you ever really crash or even make a sound
[29:21]
When you're falling in a forest
[29:23]
And there's nobody around
[29:26]
Crash or even make a sound
[29:27]
When you're falling in a forest
[29:30]
And there's nobody around
[29:41]
And that's good
[35:52]
Isn't it grand?
[35:55]
It's great, isn't it?
[35:59]
Well there's been an act of its nature
[36:22]
Not only one little lady
[36:23]
You've read about them in the papers
[36:25]
And now here they are at Chicago's own
[36:29]
Who can lie?
[37:08]
And that's good
[37:10]
Isn't it grand?
[37:12]
Isn't it great?
[37:15]
Isn't it swell?
[37:55]
And gosh, what great voices
[37:57]
Gwen Verdon and Cheetah Rivera
[37:59]
A marvelous, just
[38:01]
And you can hear them kind of chuckling in the back
[38:03]
And just great acting within their singing
[38:06]
It's amazing
[38:07]
And before that you heard Jennifer Holiday
[38:09]
And I'm telling you I'm not going
[38:11]
A lot of emotion in that too
[38:13]
Just amazing
[38:14]
And then of course one of my favorites
[38:16]
Waving through a window
[38:17]
And it's also one of my producer's favorite
[38:19]
Miss Bonnie
[38:20]
So thank you
[38:21]
I'm glad I got to make her happy
[38:23]
It always makes it good to make your producer happy
[38:26]
Otherwise you're going to be
[38:28]
Gosh knows what you're going to be playing
[38:30]
Next time you're on the air
[38:31]
Anyway, hard to say goodbye
[38:33]
If we're going to play from
[38:34]
No, I'm not going to play that
[38:35]
That's from Dreamgirls again
[38:37]
I'm going to play from Spam a lot
[38:39]
Only because I saw it
[38:42]
We saw it on Broadway
[38:44]
And it was just so much fun
[38:45]
And I got in trouble my first week
[38:48]
Being the first two weeks of being on the air here
[38:50]
By playing one of the songs it had
[38:51]
One of the seven words we're not supposed to say on the air
[38:54]
So I have a fondness with Spam a lot
[38:58]
So let's hear from that
[38:59]
And this is the original Broadway cast
[39:02]
Have you heard of this Broadway?
[39:04]
Yes, sir
[39:05]
And we don't stand a chance there
[39:07]
Why not?
[39:09]
Because Broadway is a very special place
[39:13]
Filled with very special people
[39:15]
People who can sing and dance
[39:18]
Often at the same time
[39:20]
They are a different people
[39:22]
A multi-talented people
[39:24]
A people who need people
[39:27]
And who are in many ways
[39:29]
The luckiest people in the world
[39:33]
I'm sorry, Simon
[39:35]
We don't have a chance
[39:37]
But why?
[39:38]
Well, let me put it like this
[39:47]
In any great adventure
[39:49]
If you don't want to lose
[39:51]
Victory depends upon the people that you choose
[39:54]
So listen, Arthur, darling, closely to this news
[39:58]
We won't succeed on Broadway
[40:00]
If we don't have any Jews
[40:02]
You may have the finest sets
[40:05]
Fill the stage with penthouse pits
[40:07]
You may have the loveliest costumes and best shoes
[40:10]
You may dance and you may sing
[40:12]
But I'm sorry, Arthur King, you'll hear no cheers
[40:14]
Just lots and lots of booze
[40:16]
You may have butch men by the score
[40:18]
Whom the audience adore
[40:20]
You may even have some animals from zoos
[40:23]
Though you've pearls and sprouts instead
[40:25]
You may have unleavened bread
[40:27]
But I tell you, you are dead
[40:29]
If you don't have any Jews
[40:37]
Don't care if it's witty or everything looks pretty
[40:39]
They'll simply say it's shitty and refuse
[40:42]
Nobody will go, sir
[40:45]
If it's not kosher then no show, sir
[40:47]
Even goyim won't be dim enough to choose
[40:49]
Put on shoes that make men stare
[40:51]
With lots of goats and underwear
[40:53]
You may even have the finest of reviews
[40:55]
You're doing great
[40:56]
But the audiences won't care, sir
[40:58]
But you don't dare, sir, to open up on Broadway
[41:00]
If you don't have any Jews
[41:02]
This is where we dance
[41:17]
You may even have some white men sing the blues
[41:21]
Your knights may be nice boys
[41:23]
But sadly we're all goys
[41:25]
And that noise that you call singing you must lose
[41:27]
So despite your pretty lights
[41:29]
Naughty goes in nasty tights
[41:31]
And the most impressive scenery you use
[41:33]
You have dancing manamano
[41:35]
You may bring on a piano
[41:37]
But they will demo if you don't have any Jews
[41:40]
Potentially
[43:55]
There simply must be
[43:57]
Simply must be Jews
[44:01]
There simply must be
[44:02]
Arthur, trust me, simply must be Jews
[44:04]
Be in the background
[50:02]
Give them love
[50:04]
What does it get you?
[50:06]
What does it get you?
[50:07]
One quick look
[50:08]
As each of them leaves you
[50:12]
All your life
[50:13]
What does it get you?
[50:14]
Thanks a lot
[50:15]
Out with the garbage
[50:16]
They take miles
[50:17]
And you're batting zero
[50:22]
I had a dream
[50:26]
I dreamed it for you
[50:28]
June
[50:29]
It was the E-Honey runway
[50:52]
And it is Rose's turn
[51:38]
And it's pretty much coming up on my end of the shift
[51:41]
Here in about nine minutes
[51:43]
You're gonna get on the horizon
[51:45]
The world's best world music
[51:47]
So stay tuned for that
[51:49]
But we started off with
[51:51]
Hard to Say Goodbye My Love from Dreamgirls
[51:53]
With Cheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine
[51:55]
And Deborah Burrell singing
[51:58]
Just real passionate material
[52:02]
And an amazing show
[52:03]
An amazing talent in that
[52:05]
And You Won't Succeed on Broadway
[52:07]
That was David Hyde Pierce
[52:08]
You might have recognized his voice from Frasier
[52:11]
And also Todd Ellison was in that
[52:14]
Along with the ensemble
[52:15]
The ever-important ensemble
[52:17]
And then Proud Mary
[52:19]
The finale to Nutbush City Limits
[52:22]
With Proud Mary
[52:23]
The Tina Turner of the musical
[52:25]
Didn't last long on tour
[52:27]
But it was very popular on Broadway
[52:29]
And then Rose's turn
[52:30]
One of my favorite old chestnuts
[52:33]
And that was
[52:34]
If you didn't recognize the voice
[52:36]
That was Bette Midler
[52:37]
She does a great job
[52:39]
We're gonna keep going here
[52:40]
We have just about eight minutes left
[52:43]
So I'm gonna not pause anymore
[52:47]
Except to clear my voice
[52:50]
How unprofessional
[52:51]
But anyway
[52:52]
Let's hear something from Les Mis
[52:54]
And then after that we'll go into
[52:56]
And hopefully we'll be able to talk to you again
[52:58]
If not, thank you for tuning in to
[53:00]
WRT Better Living Through show tunes
[53:02]
I am your host, Kirk
[53:05]
And we'll see you in about three weeks
[53:07]
Into the new next month
[53:09]
Beside me
[53:50]
Now I can die in peace
[53:56]
For now my life is blessed
[54:03]
With the power you're going to lead
[54:10]
It's too soon to say good
[54:14]
Yes, Cosette
[54:18]
Forbid me now to die
[54:22]
I'll obey
[54:24]
I will try
[54:28]
Spade
[54:34]
I write my last confession
[54:38]
Read it well
[54:43]
When I blust
[54:45]
Am sleeping
[54:47]
It's a story of those
[54:53]
Who always loved you
[54:56]
Your mother gave a life for you
[54:58]
Then gave you to my keeping
[55:01]
Come with where chains were never
[55:08]
At last poured in heaven
[55:22]
Down a sea
[55:27]
Forgive me all my trespasses
[55:29]
And take me to your glory
[55:33]
Take my hand
[55:37]
And lead me to salvation
[55:42]
Take my full love last year
[55:50]
And remember the truth
[55:55]
That once was spoken
[55:58]
To love another person
[56:00]
Is to see the grace of God
[56:03]
It's in the valley of the
[56:14]
It is the music of a people
[56:18]
Who are climbing to the light
[56:21]
For the red shed of fear
[56:24]
There is a flame that never dies
[56:28]
Even the darkest night
[56:30]
Will end and the sun will rise
[56:33]
Again in freedom in the garden
[56:39]
We'll share it away the sword
[56:47]
The chain will be broken
[56:49]
And all them will have their reward
[56:51]
They bring that tomorrow
[57:14]
Crossroads Blues Society invites you
[60:53]
to the 17th annual Crossroads Blues Festival
[60:56]
on the banks of the Kishawake River
[60:59]
at Lyron Park in Rockford, Illinois
[61:01]
on Saturday, August 29th.
[61:03]
The festival opens at 11 a.m.
[61:05]
and the music begins at noon
[61:07]
with the Stephon Hillyshine Band.
[61:09]
At 2 p.m. it's Louisiana's great
[61:11]
Soul Blues singer Crystal Thomas
[61:13]
performing with an all-star band.
[61:15]
Then at 4 p.m. it is time for the duo
[61:17]
of Annika Chambers and Paul DeLaurier
[61:20]
from Florida to take the stage with their band.
[61:22]
Closing out the day at 6 p.m.
[61:24]
is none other than Rick Estrin
[61:26]
and the Night Cats coming out from the Bay Area.
[61:29]
There will be vendors to provide an assortment
[61:31]
of tasty foods, beer and wine.
[61:34]
Ticketing and camping information is available
[61:36]
at CrossroadsBluesSociety.com
[61:39]
That's the 17th annual Crossroads Blues Festival
[61:42]
on Saturday, August 29th at Lyron Park
[61:45]
in Rockford, Illinois.
[61:47]
You are listening to WORT Madison.