On this episode of Curtain Call, Tom takes listeners inside one of the most meaningful evenings in musical theatre: the Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre. Featuring this year’s winners—lyricist Eric Price and librettist Philip Christian Smith—the conversation explores what it truly means to receive an award that isn’t just recognition for past work, but a vote of confidence in what comes next. Woven throughout the episode are voices from the ceremony itself, including Susan Stroman, Maury Yeston, John Weidman, Richard Maltby Jr., and Santino Fontana, offering insight into craft, mentorship, and the legacy of Ed Kleban. With performances from The Violet Hour and selections from Smith’s The Charter School Presents: The Medea – A Rap Tragedy, this episode captures the spirit of dedication, belief, and artistic conviction that keeps musical theatre alive and evolving.
What is Radio Catskill - Curtain Call with Tom Candela?
Take your seat for Curtain Call —the podcast where local theatre meets the professional stage! Each week, host Tom Candela brings you engaging, in-depth interviews with the artists, directors, and creators shaping our local community theatres, alongside special guests from New York City and beyond. From hometown stages to Broadway lights, we uncover the stories, struggles, and triumphs behind the curtain. Between the conversations, enjoy handpicked Broadway show tunes that bring the magic of musical theatre straight to your ears.